Va-birders: I read with avid attention all the discussion about the Cliff
Otto's mystery bird because I have had a mystery bird myself this past week.
At first I thought it was a sick Whitebreasted Nuthatch because it's head was
very roughed up and the rest of the body looked pretty bad as well (lots of
body molt on this one). AND it looked like it had been playing around in VA
red mud and had a redish tinge to all its white feathers.
I wasn't happy with the Nuthatch ID though because it just wasn't behaving like
all my other Nuthatches. It didn't feed the same way and was much jumpier.
And all the Nuthatches that come to my feeders are clean, bright and have very
clear lines between the color areas. And they are much bluer then my mystery
bird.
I saw it again last night and after the list discussion of Cliff's bird I
realized it might very well be an immature REV. It has the same black eye of
Cliff's bird and the same "messy" line between the white on its face and the
head cap. It is looking less "moldy" and if I'm lucky it will keep coming to
the feeder until it comes into its mature plumage and red eye.
I also listened to the REV song and, while I'm not very good at birding by ear
yet, the REV song is one I have been hearing a lot of in the backyard this past
week or so.
So...thanks to all the posters and their id's and thanks to Cliff for posting
his question. I learned something and have possible solved a mystery in my own
back yard.
Here's to the birds!!!!
Cheers, Janet Martin
No. Springfield, VA
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