Late Summer Bird Identification Quiz

For southeastern North America, this is basically late summer.  With that in mind, let's have a look at some birds that may be observed at this time of year!

1.  The plumage of this first bird might be confusing for some birders.

2.  Hint: This species was featured in an earlier quiz.  It is a bold and sometimes aggressive bird.

3.  Watch for these near water!

4.  A familiar species may seem unfamiliar if the environment doesn't provide enough clues.

Answers:

1.  I'm used to seeing Little Blue Herons with solid gray-blue adult plumage, white immature plumage, or an intermediate blue-and-white patchiness.  This individual was mostly blue, but the small patches of white on its belly and back were reminiscent of the plumage of the Tricolored Heron, a coastal species that occasionally strays inland.  This Little Blue Heron lacks the Tricolored Heron's white feathering on the front of the neck, and it doesn't show any yellow on the bill or in front of the eye, as Tricolored Herons would in the late summer.

For comparison, here's a Tricolored Heron in August:

2.  With its pugnacious attitude toward birds and other animals several times its size, the Eastern Kingbird lives up to its classification as one of the tyrant flycatchers.  It frequently perches high in snags and other vegetation, and its bright white underparts, dark upperparts, fairly thick bill, and moderate proportions are distinctive.

3.  The White Ibis is a wading bird that occurs over a wide range in southeastern North America and Central America.  The photo I used is tricky, as it doesn't really show the distinctive curvature of the birds' red bills!  The white plumage, black wing tips, and long legs help to clinch the identification, though.  White Ibises are experiencing population declines in Louisiana and a few other coastal areas, but they appear to be increasing farther north.  This probably bodes well for the birds' adaptability, but conservationists and birders should still keep an eye on those crucial, vulnerable wetland regions.

4.  Juvenile birds of all species may be seen in the late summer, and American Robins, which tend to nest around human dwellings, are some of the most frequently observed.  Unlike their parents, young American Robins have lots of speckling and barring on their plumage.  However, their "red" breasts and white facial markings are still noticeable.  This individual added to the potential confusion by flying down to a water source in a small woodland.