Help with bird ID please.

I captured these two images at Cheesequake State Park, NJ, yesterday. I looked throught the Audobon birds app and cannot find a match. Can someone help please?

 

 

Hi Andy,

Take a look at female Red- winged Blackbird. It's a bit dark, but according to Sibly there can be variation. The habitat is good.

I lived in New Jersey for over a decade. The shape and size of the bird as well as behavior are similar to those of a red-winged blackbird, but that should be all black except for a red patch on the wings. This bird has spots, perhaps a female or immature?

 

See link: Red-winged Blackbird

I lived in New Jersey for over a decade. The shape and size of the bird as well as behavior are similar to those of a red-winged blackbird, but that should be all black except for a red patch on the wings. This bird has spots, perhaps a female or immature?

 

See link: Red-winged Blackbird

 

Maybe this would help: Audubon link.

 

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Based on colour, prominent "eyebrow", spots, tail shape and size, it's definitely a female red-winged blackbird.

 

https://quietsolopursuits.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/red-winged-blackbird-female.jpg

 

We often have 20 or more males at our feeder, in Québec, but almost no females.

Thank you everyone for identifying the bird. I am new to bird photography and indeed I also captured a red-winged blackbird. I don't know the female looks different and those two are no where near black, lol.

 

Andy, your new image seems to be a tricolored blackbird, if the wings have red and yellow/white patches. The red-winged blackbird has red-only patches.

Hi Shun. I really can't tell. From the Audobon Birds app the two has the same red and yellow/white on the wings. It looks more like a red-winged blackbird because the red color is more prominent. Again, I may be wrong.

Hi Shun. I really can't tell. From the Audobon Birds app the two has the same red and yellow/white on the wings. It looks more like a red-winged blackbird because the red color is more prominent. Again, I may be wrong.

 

I am afraid that we need an image that is larger and from a better angle to tell for sure, but at least to me, the patch is not merely red. Or if we could check that bird's DNA .... :-)

I am afraid that we need an image that is larger and from a better angle to tell for sure, but at least to me, the patch is not merely red. Or if we could check that bird's DNA .... :)

 

:D

your new image seems to be a tricolored blackbird

Highly unlikely for NJ, tri-colored are limited to the Pacific States: Tricolored Blackbird

The red-winged blackbird has red-only patches.

That would be the population of Coastal California you are most familiar with (the bi-colored blackbird); generally, red-winged blackbirds show red-yellow patches: Red-winged Blackbird

Highly unlikely for NJ, tri-colored are limited to the Pacific States: Tricolored Blackbird

 

Very good point that the tri-colored blackbird's range is mainly on the West Coast of the US.

There are three species:

 

Red-winged blackbird -- black body with large red epaulettes that have a bright yellow band under the epaulette.

 

Tri-colored blackbird -- black body with red epaulettes that have a white under band.

 

Yellow-headed blackbird -- black body with yellow head and breast and a white epaulette (no under band).

 

In fact all three are tri-colored but only one is called tri-colored.

There are three species:

 

Red-winged blackbird -- black body with large red epaulettes that have a bright yellow band under the epaulette.

 

Tri-colored blackbird -- black body with red epaulettes that have a white under band.

 

Yellow-headed blackbird -- black body with yellow head and breast and a white epaulette (no under band).

 

In fact all three are tri-colored but only one is called tri-colored.

DrBen has it absolutely right. Andy's male blackbird above is 100% a red-winged blackbird. The original post I'm not quite as certain on, but I'm about 90% certain it is a female black-winged blackbird. Here in WI you see the males all the time protecting the developing nest or occupied nest, or dive bombing bicyclists like myself (I've had them actually hit the back of my helmet numerous times). The females are down in the reeds, etc. with the nest or flying around looking like a lot of other non-descript birds. They are not distinct enough to be immediately identifiable.

DrBen and Rod, thanks for the follow up. I learn something new every day, as usual.

Many thanks for everyone's help and education on this topic. This is my first year learning how to take pictures of birds and the third time I went back to the same park (before it charges entrance fees). I guess this is my beginner's luck that captured a picture of the femail red-winged blackbird, haha. Thanks again, everyone.

Andy-Szeto said

'the third time I went back to the same park (before it charges entrance fees)'

Pay entrance fees ? Climb over the wall, or the gate, or something !

(before it charges entrance fees). Hopefully andy and Tony are jesting. Seems people are happy to pay hundreds to many thousands of dollars for camera gear, then $50 for a tank of gas, but hate to part with the price of a latte or two for park entrance fees? Refuges such as state and federal lands are vital for wildlife. Let's support them!

Of course, I spoke merely in jest - then again, all my optical gear is firmly in the 'last decade's model / second hand' category, and I do not drive, preferring to use public transport. More of my pension seems to go towards supporting the government's wild hare-brained schemes than supporting me, though.

Hi Tony,

LOL good to hear you are making the most of existing gear rather than rushing out and buying the latest "must haves" from Nikon or whoever. Many times I've cheerfully paid entrance fees, but I must admit there have been quite a few walls and gates I've clambered over too! And I wish I could get to more interesting places by public transport [i live in the US, generally not the most progressive area for such things].

Cheers etc, Roger.

(before it charges entrance fees)

I really want to mean that between Memorial and Labor Days the park becomes a "recreation area" where the (man made) beach, camp site, playground, picnic area, BBQ area, etc are all open for business and crowded with people. I will gladly pay the entrance fee for those activities. But not chasing bird pictures during that period.

Hi Tony,

LOL good to hear you are making the most of existing gear rather than rushing out and buying the latest "must haves" from Nikon or whoever. Many times I've cheerfully paid entrance fees, but I must admit there have been quite a few walls and gates I've clambered over too! And I wish I could get to more interesting places by public transport [i live in the US, generally not the most progressive area for such things].

Cheers etc, Roger.

 

Hi again Roger,

Well, I use Pentax and Sigma gear, and having read about some problems with the more recent bodies, I decided to stick with what I know works ! That said, I am this very day intending to visit a local Nature Reserve (local - an hour and a half by bus !), where I do not intend to pay the entrance fee !!

 

This is because I am a life member - but I'll still put a few bob in the donations tin !!

 

ATB - Tony