BUFFALO BAYOU CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

SOME COMMON IDENTIFICATION PROBLEMS TO AVOID,
 AT FEEDERS ESPECIALLY:

Sharp-shinned Hawk vs. Cooper's Hawk

Eurasian Collared-Dove and Ringed Turtle-Dove:  Both are in our area, and they hybridize.   If you report one or the other of these, I want to know how you made the distinction -- that is why they must be reported on the Unusual Species Report at the end of this form.  If you can't make the distinction, then simply report them as "unidentified Streptopelia dove" on the Unusual Species Report at the end of the data entry form.   For help distinguishing these species, see the Project Feeder Watch site and a Chicago area site. Identification of these doves often is not nearly as clear-cut as field guides and these web pages make it seem, likely because of the hybridization (e.g., some birds are mottled and likely hybrids).

For some interesting information on range expansions of various dove species -- including Eurasian Collared-Dove, White-winged Dove, and Mourning Dove -- see "Expansion of the Eurasian Collared-Dove" and "Dynamic Dove Expansions".

Hummingbirds :  The most common winter hummingbird in Houston is the Rufous Hummingbird.  Females and immatures are hard to distinguish TO SPECIES, but it is often not too difficult to identify them to genus.   For example, a female or immature hummingbird with red in the tail and reddish/pinkish flanks will be a member of the genus Selasphorus; if you cannot tell exactly which species (Rufous, Broad-tailed, or even Allen's), simply report it as "unidentified Selasphorus hummingbird" on the data entry form.   Similarly, if you know a hummer is either a Ruby-throated or a Black-chinned, but are not sure which, "unidentified Archilochus hummingbird" is what you should report on the data entry form).  Reports of "unidentified Archilochus hummingbird" or Rufous Hummingbird or "unidentified Selasphorus hummingbird" or "unidentified hummingbird" will not require written details; all other hummers will require written details on the Unusual Species Report at the end of the data entry form.

Woodpeckers with red on their heads are not always Red-headed Woodpeckers.   In fact, Red-headed Woodpeckers are not very common in our count circle (but they do occur here).

Downy Woodpecker vs. Hairy Woodpecker What you see in the Buffalo Bayou CBC circle is certainly a Downy. Hairy Woodpecker has not been accepted on this CBC in many years, and even reports that have been accepted are still considered questionable by some. If you report a Hairy Woodpecker without clear photographic evidence, it is likely to be rejected.

BLACK  birds :  Not all black birds are "blackbirds"!   ("Blackbirds" are members of the family Icteridae -- and they are not always black -- meadowlarks, for example.)   Common black (or mostly black) birds at feeders/yards within the Buffalo Bayou CBC area are American Crow, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle (females are brown), Common Grackle, and Brown-headed Cowbird (females are brown).   In neighborhoods in the Buffalo Bayou CBC circle, a medium-sized all black songbird with a yellow eye is undoubtedly a Common Grackle -- Brewer's and Rusty Blackbirds are unlikely at feeders/yards.

Finches with red on them (females have no red, and they look like streaky sparrows) are almost always House Finches.  Purple Finches are very uncommon, but it can happen.  Be sure of yourself if you report a Purple Finch, and provide details on the Unusual Species Report at the end of the data entry form.  Cassin's Finch does not occur in your area.

Sparrows :  For a sparrow at a feeder, your first thought should be that it is a House Sparrow -- but there are other sparrows in the vicinity, and female House Finches and the larger female Red-winged Blackbirds resemble streaky sparrows; also, American Pipits resemble sparrows, but they have a different posture and a very un-sparrow-like bill.   House Sparrow males show black bibs in varying size degrees -- do not confuse these with Harris' Sparrow (very unlikely at a feeder in Houston) and especially Black-chinned Sparrow which is not found in this part of Texas.   Female House Sparrows are less distinctive, but they usually hang out with males -- don't confuse these with other seemingly nondescript sparrows.   Become familiar with the field marks of the House Sparrow in your field guides.

Checking individual species at Cornell's Online Bird Guide or the Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter may also help. General tips on identifying birds can be found at Cornell's How to Identify Birds page.

Buffalo Bayou Christmas Bird Count web pages are hosted by the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center)