Weekly Bird Identification Quiz
August 8 - September 11, 2011
How to Identify:
The hardest aspect of this identification is just trying to orient yourself to the position of this bird. With a close examination we can see that its tail is pointed towards the camera while the bird is facing away and to the left. So our main field marks that we can see include the long, dark tail, reddish-orange undertail coverts, and the overall grayish-brown coloration. The tail length and shape is actually the most important aspect for narrowing down the options. Only the thrashers (and sometimes mockingbirds) have this length and width of tail. The overall coloration also eliminates the mockingbirds. The reddish-orange undertail coloration and overall coloration eliminate all of the thrashers except for our bird, the California Thrasher.
Answer: California Thrasher
Photo Location: California
Photo Date: March 2011
Other Answers:
California Thrasher - 1
Ruffed Grouse - 1