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Sun, Apr 29, 12 at 18:47
| Had a bird visit my feeders and yard today I've never seen before. Tried to snap a pic but of course couldn't get my iPhone unlocked fast enough. It was small about the size of a warbler or smaller vireo. It had grayish wings with white bars, a buff under breast with a rosy throat and a bluish gray cap/head. Think the back was greenish gray like many warblers Vey pretty and softly colored. Not sure if it is a regular visitor or migrating through. Actually think I had a male and female and the female lacked the bluish crown. . I've searched my iBird Pro and my Nat'l Geographic Field Guide Birds of Western North America. I'm in San Diego county close to the ocean and in a rural canyon area. Can anyone help me ID this little bird?
Patty S. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Rose breasted nut hatch? What was it doing? Linda C |
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- Posted by hoosierquilt (My Page) on Mon, Apr 30, 12 at 21:55
| Nope, definitely not a Nuthatch. They're quite distinguishing as to how they look and run upside down up a tree trunk :-) This bird was more Vireo/Warbler/Sparrow looking. Rounded head, small beak, small bird maybe the size of a Song Sparrow. It was checking out my feeders and hanging out on my Bird of Paradise near the feeder. Pretty sure I saw male and female together, but they didn't hang around long enough for me to be able to get a photo. Patty S. |
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- Posted by feather_z9_ncacoast (My Page) on Wed, May 2, 12 at 23:51
| I believe the proper name of that nuthatch is Red-breasted. Sounds to me like the bird you saw sounds a lot like a Red-faced Warbler, which is a Mexican species occasionally seen in Arizona, and possibly southern CA:
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- Posted by hoosierquilt (My Page) on Thu, May 3, 12 at 0:20
| Oh, I wish! Lovely bird, but not what I saw. This bird (and the female) was much softer colored. But pretty sure it's a warbler. Had that shape. The crown was greyish blue. A very soft greyish blue. the throat was soft rose, but very pale that blended into a buff underside. But, the top coloration looks similar and the wing coloring with white bars is the same. I think it's a warbler or vireo, but can't figure out which one. Patty S. |
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- Posted by hoosierquilt (My Page) on Thu, May 3, 12 at 21:18
Okay, they're back and in better light. Mystery solved, I'm being visited by a lovely pair of Lazuli Buntings, oh my gosh!! This is a first in my yard since I've lived here. 
Thanks all for trying to help me. I got a very clear look at these birds today, and saw that the blue extended across the back, and the head was even bluer than I had realized. I thought at first it might be a Western Bluebird, but it wasn't big enough. Such a pretty little bird and so glad to see it at my feeders!! |
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- Posted by feather_z9_ncacoast (My Page) on Sat, May 5, 12 at 22:55
| congrats on the ID. I was going for warbler, but obviously no green and no yellow....glad you discovered the bunting :) |
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