identification

One last bird question for tonight. When I first saw this scaup, I thought the shape of the head looked like a Greater Scaup (much more broadly rounded than I associate with Lesser Scaups). However, when it flapped its wings, I saw the white did not extend out on to its primaries. In this case, … Read more

While going through photos from last November, I took a closer look at some of the first pictures I took of redpolls. I noticed that there was at least one bird that seemed quite a bit paler than the other birds I saw at the time (and also the ones I have seen since). I … Read more

The warbler I saw the other day was a Nashville Warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla). I first saw the bird as I was bicycling down Lincoln Street and nearing the intersection with Katlian. It flew across in front of me, and I thought it looked like an Orange-crowned warbler. As it had been over a month since … Read more

I saw a strange warbler today. As best I can tell, it’s a Nashville Warbler, but that would be really unusual for Alaska. Any help with identification would be appreciated. Update: I went back this afternoon and saw two birds together. I did think they were probably both the same species, but did not get … Read more

I am not a raptor expert. Until this year, I had never caught more than a very brief glimpse of any raptors around Sitka. Even this year, I have only had good looks a couple of times, and those were both looks at a Sharp-shinned Hawk. I first spotted this bird as we stopped at … Read more

At the time I took this photo, I thought I was looking at a Black-legged Kittiwake. When I got home and looked at the picture, I noticed what looks to me like part of a red leg showing. This leads me to think that it might be a Red-legged Kittiwake. I would be more enthusiastic … Read more