We had 26 participants in this quiz. Click here to see original quiz. There were 12 people that thought it was a Cassin’s Kingbird, and another 10 that selected the Westen Kingbird. As both birds are very similar the confusion is understandable. I photographed the bird in the Davis Mountains, where the Cassin’s range.
I personally believe that is a Cassin’s, because of the darker gray of the head, and also the gray that goes lower down the breast. I also noted the white patchy molar.
I understand the large number that opted for the Western. It is the most common of the two in the state of Texas.
Thanks to all participating in my latest quiz. Click here to review it. The bird is a Lewis’s Woodpecker. It was photographed here in San Angelo, Texas. It was really out of range for that species. But, as sometimes happens, he wandered off course during migration, and ended up here. He was observed for about three days, then he moved on.
I only had one shot at him. We were driving through Middle Concho park, when Ann spotted high atop a dead tree branch. After I took the photo, he then flew off into some other trees. I never saw him again.
Okay, guys, here is the latest quiz that I have concocted for your enjoyment. Have a good look at the photo and select below what you think it is. Answer will be next week. (click photo to enlarge for a closer look.)
Well, the answer to the quiz is it is a Loggerhead Shrike. The clue of couse, is the location. The Northern Shrike and the Loggerhead Shrike are very similar.
Congrats to people that got it right. They accounted for 87.5% of the votes.
The Loggerhead is in the southern half of the country year around. The Northern Shrike is in the northern half during the winter only. As I mentioned in the original post, the photo was taken in San Angelo, Texas.
Hi again. Big Bob here with a new quiz for you. This one may be a bit tougher, but you’all need a new challenge, right?? This bird was photographed near San Angelo, Texas. Just click your choice in the poll below. Good luck to all. Results next week.
Yes, folks it was a Black-crested Titmouse in that previous quiz. Click here to see original post.
Results of the voting:
Black-crested Titmouse 99
Tufted Titmouse 45
All of the above 4
In a sense, everybody was right. The Black-crested and the Tufted are hybrids of each other. The Tufted Titmouse is found in most of the eastern United States. The Black-crested Titmouse is found in central and west Texas. The dividing line is somewhere down the center of Texas. There are areas there that one may be able to see both.
We had 148 participants in this contest. We get a few more with each quiz. I am working on another and I will publish it in a few days. Thanks to everyone that voted.
I have a new quiz for you, but first the results of the last quiz . What a surprise I got when I looked at the results. I posted a photo of a Cactus Wren, (Yes, folks, it is a Cactus Wren). Surprisingly, out of 133 votes cast, it got only 8, as in eight, total votes. I surmise that it was because the bird is from my area here in the southwest, and most of you are not familiar with it. And apparently, most of you don’t own any bird guides. But that’s okay, I got you to participate, and that’s what this all about. Just having fun. If I can get one or two you hooked on birding, my job will be done.
The Cactus Wren has a white brow, similar to the Carolina Wren, but there the similarity stops for the most part. The Cactus has a varied spotted breast, barred wings, and streaked back. The lower breast is slightly buff, not as bold as the buff breast of the Carolina.
You done me good, by having 133 of you take part in the voting, and I am happy about that. Here are the total votes of each bird offered.
Carolina Wren, a whopping 73 votes.
Rock Wren, was second with 42 votes.
Canyon Wren garnered 9.
Cactus Wren. 8 correct votes.
Bewick’s Wren, one vote.
Thanks to all for participating. 🙂
Okay, now for the new quiz. This one is a simple one. Is this bird a Tufted Titmouse, or a Black-crested Titmouse. Vote below and choose between the two titmouses listed. Results posted next week. Have fun!
Okay, I have a good one this time. No funny stuff, and no trick questions. Since this quiz has so many possibilities, I am going to let it run for a week to give you plenty of time to investigate your guide books, or to make your up mind as too which one you will take a guess at.
So let’s have at it. What species of wren is pictured here? Answer will be posted next Saturday, July 19, 2014. You can click on the image to see an enlarged photo for closer viewing.
Wow! Another fun quiz, and many more responders this time. Click here to see original test. I am glad to see so many people are enjoying these tests of birding identifications. The photo is a Lesser Scaup. For those that might have considered the Greater Scaup, I apologize for not saying that this bird was photographed here in San Angelo, Texas. This area is far out of range for the Greater, although it has made a rare appearance in the past.
There were a total of 116 votes cast. Lesser Scaup 67; Common Golden-eye 40; Ring-necked Duck; 8; Redhead 1. One person, at least, thought it was a Greater Scaup. Perhaps I should have listed it as an option. It certainly would have made for some great discussion.
Judy of Flights of Wonder, said it best in her comment, and I hope she doesn’t mind me using it. Here is what she said:
“Hi, Bob. Ring-Necks have a blue bill with black tip and a little white ring around the black tip; plus a little white ‘stripe’ between the black chest and the greyish sides. Lesser Scaups have the black chest and black rear end with whitish/greyish back and belly, along with a ‘peaked’ appearance to the head, which has a purple irridescense. This guy’s a Lesser Scaup. (Greater Scaups tend to have a head with a greenish irridescense – though the lighting can play tricks with that one – and their bellies are more whitish than grayish. I worked on these guys a long time this past winter!!”
Now for the birds that it wasn’t.
Common Golden-eye
Ring-necked Duck
Redhead
Brunette, AKA my wife, Ann, before I caused her hair to turn gray.
Click on any photo to see enlargements. Stay tuned, I am working on another quiz to appear here soon.
Okay, get out your bird guide books. This quiz is to test your knowledge of ducks. As before, have a good look at this photo and select what you think it is in the poll below. If you would also like to comment, on why you think it is what you think it is, I would like to hear it. Just type your words in the comment area below. You may click on the image to see an enlargement for better viewing.
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 