totally ot

[jann1033]

i saw a bird yesterday and can't find it in any of my bird books or online ( small, ie wren sized or smaller, bright orange head both on top and neck, buff or whitish belly, grayish wings and back , with i think a little yellow and bars( it was fying then landed on a branch right above me so hard to see the back) saw it flying in a parklike area of downtown cleveland,Ohio) so wondering if anyone would have any ideas or remember a good link to birds that has photos and doesn't go by the name in it's listings ( since i don't know it) we were thinking of a warbler maybe or vireo...of course since it was pouring rain most of the day i had left my camera in the trunk of the car

 

[AndrewWG]

i saw a bird yesterday and can't find it in any of my bird books or online ( small, ie wren sized or smaller, bright orange head both on top and neck, buff or whitish belly, grayish wings and back , with i think a little yellow and bars( it was fying then landed on a branch right above me so hard to see the back) saw it flying in a parklike area of downtown cleveland,Ohio) so wondering if anyone would have any ideas or remember a good link to birds that has photos and doesn't go by the name in it's listings ( since i don't know it) we were thinking of a warbler maybe or vireo...of course since it was pouring rain most of the day i had left my camera in the trunk of the car

Jan,

Based on what info you provide, I would guess that it is either an immature pine grosbeak or a bay-breasted warbler. Of course, when talking about breeding plumage, it could most certainly be something else. Here are some links to those birds:

Pine Grosbeak:
http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/more-pine-grosbeaks-irruptive.html

http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/image/77745013

http://pioneerbirding.blogspot.com/2008/01/and-still-more-pine-grosbeaks-franklin.html

Bay-breasted warbler (breeding plumage) Note: This was taken with a 40D at 700mm (just to make this more of an on-topic conversation ):
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/96258570

 

[jann1033]

thanks but nope for both of those. i should have mentioned it had a long thin bill....kind of needlelike....and the orange was really bright like an Baltimore oriole orange...still can't seem to find it..maybe it was an escapee from the zoo's now defunct aviary (it was in a wooded area by the zoo) cause i sure can't find it anyplace for Ohio birds closest i have found is a blackburnian warbler but hub doesn't think it had the black on the head...

 

[AndrewWG]

thanks but nope for both of those. i should have mentioned it had a long thin bill....kind of needlelike....and the orange was really bright like an Baltimore oriole orange...still can't seem to find it..maybe it was an escapee from the zoo's now defunct aviary (it was in a wooded area by the zoo) cause i sure can't find it anyplace for Ohio birds

That is interesting. I can't find it anyplace in North American birds! Although, as you probably know, there are so many variations and breeding plumages, etc., that it could be anything. Ain't that the way it goes though? The day you see something like that, no camera. Otherwise, you probably carry it everywhere with you. That's how it works for me anyways!

 

[jann1033]

That is interesting. I can't find it anyplace in North American birds! Although, as you probably know, there are so many variations and breeding plumages, etc., that it could be anything. Ain't that the way it goes though? The day you see something like that, no camera. Otherwise, you probably carry it everywhere with you. That's how it works for me anyways!

you know i kept saying that to hub, the trees were beautiful, and no camera, saw that bird, no camera, tons of spring flowers, no camera so i made sure and took it today and ....nothing to see

 

[AndrewWG]

Yeah, like today for example. We went to the Ringling Bros Circus in Providence. It was a hectic morning, running out of the house, etc. We get there and I realize that my camera will only be taking pics of my kichen counter as that was where it was still sitting. Oh well, nice low light photos that weren't to be. However, I must admit, shhh... it was nicer without the camera . We had a great time.

 

[jann1033]

Yeah, like today for example. We went to the Ringling Bros Circus in Providence. It was a hectic morning, running out of the house, etc. We get there and I realize that my camera will only be taking pics of my kichen counter as that was where it was still sitting. Oh well, nice low light photos that weren't to be. However, I must admit, shhh... it was nicer without the camera . We had a great time.

yeah it was odd( but nice for a change) Friday to actually walk with Granddaughter and Hub rather than a few steps behind due to my constant snapping shots