Indigo Bunting and Great Crested Flycather

It was hard to keep up with the FOY's for a couple of weeks.  The Indigo Bunting and Great Crested Flycatcher were both FOY's for me last weekend. 

Mourning Warbler, Philadelphia Vireo, and Tennessee Warbler

This is still from last weekend - when warblers had obviously gotten to the Metro area. First few photos are of a Mourning Warbler. 

Philadelphia Vireo

Tennessee Warbler

Best. Bird. Article. Ever.

If you are at work, save it for when you are home.  My pants are still wet from laughing so hard.  Discussion (one-sided) on the mistakes states have made on choosing their state birds. Read it here.

Canada and Magnolia Warblers

What a weekend!  At a couple of local places I volunteer bird band, had a great showing of new migrants through the area.  The first pics show a Canada warbler - not one we see that often.  First pic shows how we check for fat.  The numerical score can give us cues as to if the bird just arrived, is preparing to leave the area, and sometimes overall condition.

This is a Magnolia warbler.   This species was well-represented.

The Boys Are Back In Town

 . . . or, at least the male Common Yellowthroats are back in town.  The male American Goldfinches showed at the feeders off and on all winter, but they didn't look quite this sharp.

Harris's Sparrow

 Still Harris's Sparrows around as of this past weekend.  Check out the comparison of this meatball with a White-throated Sparrow in the third picture.

Wilson's warbler

Wilson's warbler!  See the rictal bristles around the beak of the bird?

Nashville warbler

Nice Nashville warbler in hand.  One of the measurements taken is the crown patch on the top of the head.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Very exciting bird for me - blue gray gnatcatcher!  First in the hand for me to see.  Was surprised to see the detail of plumage and clearly seen worn feathers.  Usually they are so high up!

Naughty Barred Owl

Barred Owl did not get the memo that he should NOT eat cool White-throated sparrows.