Help identify this bird!!

June 25th, 2010 by Gene AddisoncloseAuthor: Gene Addison Name:
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Date of sighting: 6/23/10

We were able to capture a photo of this bird just outside the Mono Lake visitors center. Please help us identify him/her. Thank you!

This post was submitted by Gene Addison.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 25th, 2010 at 7:52 pm and is filed under Birds. You can view 3 Responses on this post or leave your own response if you log in.

3 Responses to “Help identify this bird!!”

1. Suzi Rosenberg Says:
   June 26th, 2010 at 11:03 am

   Could it be a female Phainopepla? I’ve only seen the male, which is all black when perched, but with a red eye. The Audubon Field Guide to North American Birds says, “Females & juveniles plain gray with pale wing patch.”

   Hope this helps!
   Cheers,
   Suzi

2. Bartshe Says:
   June 26th, 2010 at 1:30 pm

   Spotted Towhee. Looks like the wind was blowing against its back and head in the top picture. Red eye and white spotting on the scapulars is a good field mark. This is a common bird around the sagebrush and bitterbrush, and you would definitely see it out by the Visitor Center.

3. Gene Says:
   July 2nd, 2010 at 6:48 am

   Thank you, both of you! But it does look like the Spotted Towhee. Perhaps a photo from the front could have made this a lot easier!!

   Thanks,

   Gene