ML129797811

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

continuing bird found by R. Hamilton a few days ago, observed in marginal lighting (mostly cloudy early morning, and somewhat silhouetted as it perched near the top of a small tree). With luck, it was possible to see this bird from what I believe to be a publicly accessible location at 34.046141,-118.010754 . I observed it for about a minute at a distance of approx. 30 meters after it flew in from the west or south, then I lost track of it for the next 20 minutes through the time of my departure. Blackbird size, shape, and general appearance. Overall brown head transitioning to black belly and tail. Mostly black wings. Pale iris (not really seen through binoculars but visible in photos). Relatively pale throat. Gave several "check" calls and perhaps other vocalizations (not heard well due to freeway noise) as it stretched forward with beak open. Flicked its tail occasionally. Best alternate candidates for i.d. are: female great-tailed grackle, which can be ruled out by relatively short tail and small bill of bird observed; female red-winged or tricolored blackbird, which can be ruled out by pale eye, lack of stripes on breast, and relatively long and thin bill; female-type Brewer's blackbird, which can be ruled out by prominent paler supercilium, triangular dark "mask", and rufous edges to wing coverts and tertials; and brown-headed cowbird, which can be ruled out by bill shape and other features.

Technical information

Model

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

ISO

800

Focal length

150.5 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/5.8

Shutter speed

1/40 sec

Dimensions

758 pixels x 947 pixels

Original file size

156.5 KB