Weekly Bird Identification Quiz
January 18 - January 24, 2010
How to Identify:
This week’s picture does not show much of the bird so we need to use little clues to come to the right identification. The first clue that really eliminates all but two species is the yellow tail tip. Both Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings show the yellow tail tip. Other than the tail tip, we can really only see the undertail coverts and the belly clearly. With waxwings the undertail coverts are a great way to identify between the two species. Cedar has gray to tan undertail coverts while the Bohemian has red undertail coverts. So this bird must be a Bohemian Waxwing. The color of the belly can also be used. The Cedar has a yellowish belly while the Bohemian has a grayish belly. So again, this bird is be a Bohemian Waxwing.
Answer: Bohemian Waxwing
Photo Location: Dunbar Forest, MI
Photo Date: January 2010
Correct Answers:
Landon Neumann, Logansport, IN
Catherine Ripma, Zionsville, IN
Bill Murphy, Fishers, IN
John Mueller, Avon, IN
Kyron Hanson, Pittsfield, MA
Kathy Feldman, Indianapolis, IN
Liza Olson, Bloomington, IN
Other Answers:
None