Wednesday, April 16, 2008

This year's mystery bird

It's a Slate Coloured Junco!

Last year's mystery visitor was a Yellow Shafted Flicker. Today, I came home from the afternoon run-around to find this guy, and about 30 of his dearest friends all over the back yard. All on the ground, picking up little bits to nibble on. I'm assuming he's a finch of some sort, he's the same size and shape as a goldfinch, same beak, but a solid dark grey on top with a white belly. This picture is reasonably accurate color-wise except his beak is actually more yellow than buff.

He's got some dry leaf litter around his feet, so he looks a little more plump and ruffled than he actually is. Anyone?

5 comments:

dee said...

I don't know their official name but we call them snow birds. They eat at our goldfinch feeders. Sweet chubby little things.

Denise (Nour) said...

A bunting? A towhee? Where's my Audubon Field Guide when I need it???!!

cari said...

Slate-coloured junco?

Dorothy said...

Ding ding ding! It is indeed a Slate Colored Junco. And if you are the Cari I think you are, HI! I miss you! Can you believe our boys are almost done 7th grade?!

Anonymous said...

I was gonna say that looks like Frank, but I guess you figured out his name already.