I have some unknowns today from earlier this season. Hope nobody minds -- we are in the middle of a remodeling project and I've temporarily misplaced my bird books in all the moving around! Any ID help would be much appreciated.
This post is linked to WORLD BIRD WEDNESDAY. Thank you to Dave for hosting and thanks as well to all the other excellent birders and bird photographers who not only link to this site but who are also kind to amateurs! Go visit if you love birds.
The above hawk seen at Big Cypress.
This bird was (obviously) hopping around in a weed patch somewhere nearby. I cropped the picture to see if that would help me figure out what it is. I really thought his eye was interesting.
This uncropped one below where there's a grackle nearby shows the size of the unknown bird.
Nice captures!
Posted by: Pat | April 30, 2012 at 07:35 AM
gorgeous close ups!! the hawk looks like a youngin'!!
have a wonderful weekend!!
Posted by: Debbie | April 27, 2012 at 08:40 AM
Love these shots, Sallie. If I can locate the hawk in one of my birding books, I'll let you know.
Posted by: Penny | April 26, 2012 at 01:34 PM
Great shots of the birds.
Posted by: Carver | April 26, 2012 at 07:32 AM
Nice captures of the unknown birds, Sallie. The first one looks like a juvenile Red-shouldered hawk and second a Myan.
Posted by: Pam | April 26, 2012 at 03:17 AM
Great looking birds!! I am sorry but I cant help you with the speices...
Posted by: fjällripan | April 25, 2012 at 02:40 PM
Yes, you have a lovely Red-shouldered Hawk share there, and never feel bad about not being able to ID a bird...I have to have help often. I have followed a pair of Red-Shouldered Hawks since 1996 and have grown very fond of them, otherwise, I might not have known what they were either. Have a beautiful remainder to your week~
Posted by: Mary Howell Cromer | April 25, 2012 at 02:39 PM
Whatever they are, you've caught them well! Wonderful photos. :)
Posted by: Halcyon | April 25, 2012 at 10:46 AM
I have no idéa of what species they are. But both looks great in their own way. I too find that eye very special.
Posted by: NatureFootstep | April 25, 2012 at 08:08 AM
Perhaps your second subject is on the most wanted list. Better check him out. Great photo of the Hawk. I always enjoy watching the hawks ride the air currents searching for food.
Posted by: stella | April 25, 2012 at 05:50 AM
I thought red shouldered the moment I saw the hawk, and the next one really stumped me, but I agree Its a Mynah....and have to wonder why everyone is so afraid of it, maybe its a predator of native species? We had a cage bird a Quaker Parrot who escaped...I know there are HUGE colonies of them in BROOKLYN, NY where I once lived. They dont create any problems except they built nests up around the electric transformers and stadium lights!
Posted by: Sondra | April 25, 2012 at 05:20 AM
Sorry can't help out Sallie, i'm on the wrong continent for the hawk. I know Mynah birds are commonly kept in cages because of their mimicry skills.
Posted by: phil | April 25, 2012 at 05:05 AM
Now you're photographing exotic escapees!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | April 25, 2012 at 04:42 AM
Beautiful captures, and I agree with the name of the second bird sighting - It is indeed the Indian Mynah, very commonly spotted in our side of the world.
Posted by: Arti | April 25, 2012 at 12:18 AM
Nice pictures!
It's not often we meet on the Hawk.
Regards from Norway
Posted by: A wondering Star | April 24, 2012 at 11:53 PM
Nice shots, Sallie. The second one is definitely an Indian Myna. We have them here in Australia in plague proportions as an imported nuisance species.
Posted by: Nick | April 24, 2012 at 11:22 PM
Nice one!
Posted by: NatureStop | April 24, 2012 at 10:16 PM
Sallie, Did you take the photo of the Hawk in FL? If so then it could be a FL subspecies of a Red-shouldered Hawk. Their head feathers are a pale gray.
I agree that your 2nd bird looks like a Common Myna.
Wowser sightings!:)
Posted by: Jean | April 24, 2012 at 09:36 PM
Interesting photos - and I agree - Mynas are terrible!
Posted by: Mick | April 24, 2012 at 09:09 PM
I don't know either of these birds but from what others say I guess we can hope the first one isn't a myna. Introduced species can be quite a problem, often out competing native species.
Posted by: Martha | April 24, 2012 at 08:48 PM
I can't help with the IDs at all so I read the comments..a myna..really?
Posted by: Rambling Woods | April 24, 2012 at 07:19 PM
Gorgeous birds!
Posted by: Sandy Carlson (USA) | April 24, 2012 at 06:49 PM
OMG - My suspicion, I believe, has been confirmed by Stewart.
I did send the wikipedia on the wretched Indian Myna as an
e-mail before any comments! I wasn't game to be first to comment.
Just contact someone to have that bird removed! And pray it is just one lone escapee from a cage!
And I can't understand why anyone would keep an Indian Myna as a pet in a cage!!!!!
Good luck and act quickly.
Colin (Brisbane.Australia)
Posted by: Colin Huggins | April 24, 2012 at 06:00 PM
I don't know what kind of hawk but I wish one would sit that still for me in plain view.
The second bird is unknown to me but I'm betting someone from the WBW group will know. He is quite unique with that eye.
I'll be back to check on the mystery.
Posted by: Carletta | April 24, 2012 at 05:58 PM
i'd guess the hawk to be a young red-shouldered. no expert, here, but that would be the closest i'd i.d.
i thought 'myna' on the 2nd but couldn't find it in my bird book (because like stewart said, it's not native here). :)
Posted by: TexWisGirl | April 24, 2012 at 05:45 PM
Hi there - cant help with the Hawk. But your second mystery bird looks to be an Indian or Common Myna. As far as I can tell they are cage birds in your part of the world - so I think it must be an escapee.
This type of bird has been introduced to Australia and is a pest. So, if you see more than one of these you may need to contact someone to get the birds removed.
Cheers - Stewart M
Posted by: Stewart M - Australia | April 24, 2012 at 05:42 PM