Photo Quiz #2 (Answer)

Thanks for participating! Here is the answer:

The photo shows a gray bird at the bottom of its wing flap. You can see the upperside of the wing displaying a very strong buff-colored stripe running down the middle of the wing. This wing stripe is a common feature in many thrush species; this bird is a thrush. Notice also that this bird has a white ring around its eye. These two features on a gray bird are fairly indicative of Townsend's Solitaire. I thought that the slightly forked tail on this individual was a little tough. This bird may be missing or molting its central tail feathers. In Colorado, these birds are altitudinal migrants moving down from the mountains into lower elevations during the winter. This is a great bird to learn its simple bell-like call note and its bubbly, finch-like song. You can hear their call all year round and their song for much of the year.

I took this photo of a Townsend's Solitaire on July 13, 2008 near the South San Juan Wilderness, Colorado.

Here are the people who submitted correct answers:

Lauren Burke
Karen Carlsen
Jacob Cooper
Grant Gardner
Scott Hartley
Heather Ishak
Jessica Lux
Sarah Quinlivan
Doug Shoffner
Mark Stackhouse
Joel Such
Marcel Such
Deirdre Viel
Heather Morris

Thanks,

Jeff