Can someone identify this bird for me, please?

Manticore

I shot this bird Sunday at a friends' house. He asked me what kind of bird it was and I must confess - I'm completely ignorant when it comes to birds! Any help appreciated.

Thanks!

GREAPER

When IDing birds it helps to note the location and relative size of the bird. Many birds look similar but have a very different range, some look similar but are different sizes.

That being said, my guess is a Vireo, from this angle it is difficult to guess which one. The warbling Vireo summers across the US. The Philidelphia summers in Canada, and migrates through areas east of the mississippi. Bell's summers in the plain states.

Check out Sibley's Guide to birds page 344

I hope that helps.

raptorcaptor

That is a kingbird! Depending on the region will pinpoint what kind. I would guess that it's a Cassin's Kingbird.

GREAPER

That was my first thought as well, but the size didn't look right. According to Sibleys, a Cassin's Kingbird has a wingspan of 16 inches and is 9 inches long. I thought this bird looked much smaller than that.

Manticore

Thanks! Guess I'll have to pick up a bird guide, eh? I should have mentioned it, I guess, but this was taken in Concord California (San Francisco Bay area). I would guess that it was about 6 inches tall or so, although it was on the other side of the yard, about 25 yards or so away, so I can't be sure. I would guess the wing-span was much smaller than 16 inches - probably around 12 inches or so. If that helps.

Anyway, thanks for the tip about the Sibley's guide.

Dixie

It looks like a Lesser Goldfinch to me.

ShepsMom

Not me, sorry, i'm totally clueless here. Good shot!

raptorcaptor

I'm pretty sure it's either a Cassin's, or Western Kingbird. Since it is backlit its a little hard to tell the contrast between the dark eyeline and the light throat. It doesn't have the thicker white trim on the tail feathers that is a distinct feature of the Cassins, but feather edges wear out as birds come into their breeding plummage. Something to note on the national size averages of birds is that they are based on dead birds that are stretched to their maximum size. So a bird in the field will generally never be as big as the guide books.:D

hichuz

My money would be on a Western Kingbird.

Dixie

Dixie wrote:

It looks like a Lesser Goldfinch to me.

Looks like I was way off on that one. The yellow breast totally through me. Because of the side lighting I thought that the yellow went all the way up to the neck. However, after checking a number of photos of the Western Kingbird, I have to go with that choice.

Dixie-0, everyone else-6

Manticore

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your help!