Can You Identify This Bird?

[TromboneAl]

I know the picture isn't terribly helpful, but my book I'd like to mention the name of this bird:

It was at our campsite at Devil's Tower, Wyoming, and had a wide variety of songs (like a catbird or a mockingbird).

Thanks,

Al

 

[audreyh1]

From my wildest guess it kind of looks like a Starling. I wouldn't consider that a definite ID. They aren't a member of the mimid family (mimidae), but they do have a fairly variable set of noises they make.

 

[bjorn2bwild]

I will second the Starling guess. The short tail is most diagnostic.

 

[LOL!]

Bigger than a robin? Smaller than a hummingbird? Can you describe relatively accurate the size of that bird? Same size as …..?

Wrens are small but have big voices.

 

[slaternuthink]

Yea, its a Starling.

 

[Live And Learn]

Yep European Starling. Non native to the US and taking over habitat from many of our native species. The story goes that someone decided to release all the birds mentioned by Shakespeare into Central Park in NY. Most of the bird species died being in non native habitat but the Starlings survived and are slowly taking over everywhere. Scary when you consider that only 60 of the birds were released that day in 1890.

 

[Meadbh]

This is what starlings do when they hang out with their friends:

http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/mumuration-video-captures-magical-moment-birds-swarm.html

 

[TromboneAl]

Good job. Thanks.

Check this out:

 

[travelover]

Good job. Thanks.

Check this out:

The owner is a ventriloquist.

 

[audreyh1]

Good job. Thanks.

Check this out:

Actually - right, I had heard Starlings could be trained to speak, and had seen that video before.

 

[Live And Learn]

This is what starlings do when they hang out with their friends:

Controversy over that Viral 'Murmuration' Video : TreeHugger

THAT was cool. And the talking starling was adorable. But I still would rather they were never introduced in North America

 

[audreyh1]

THAT was cool. And the talking starling was adorable. But I still would rather they were never introduced in North America

+1