What bird?

[Alien J]

Hi! I was hoping someone could identify this bird. I know the pictures are from rather far away. They were taken on May 2, 2021 in Winterhaven, CA. Thanks!

 

[SumitaSinh]

Maybe a sterling??

 

[WillowQ]

Body shape is kind of like a grosbeak.

 

[NightOwls]

Black-headed grosbeak?

 

[WillowQ]

Black-headed grosbeak?

I think the body is too blue or grey. Black headed grosbeak looks almost peach or orange on the belly.

it’s not a bird I have ever seen.

do you recall if it was a finch or woodpecker or anything?

 

[Alien J]

It was about the size of a robin or large sparrow. Ebird doesn't have a suggestion probably because of the distance. I can't edit it sharp enough to really get a good outcome. I'll try posting it in iNaturalist. Thanks everyone. I'll let you know if I find out!

 

[IQ's Human]

From the wing bars and what appears to be a conical beak I think it is a Black Headed Grosbeak. According to Audubon the female has buff under parts and a finely streaked breast, unfortunately, it doesn't give a description of a juvenile... But it is that time of year. So perhaps it's a baby.

 

[WillowQ]

I think the color might be different than it looks in the photo because of shadows and black headed grosbeak is the best choice. I looked through woodpeckers of the western US but that’s not correct. The wing bars are so striking!

 

[Alien J]

From the wing bars and what appears to be a conical beak I think it is a Black Headed Grosbeak. According to Audubon the female has buff under parts and a finely streaked breast, unfortunately, it doesn't give a description of a juvenile... But it is that time of year. So perhaps it's a baby.

This was taken in May of 2021 in Winterhaven, CA, so possibly a juvenile.

I think the color might be different than it looks in the photo because of shadows and black headed grosbeak is the best choice. I looked through woodpeckers of the western US but that’s not correct. The wing bars are so striking!

I'm going with black headed Groesbeck, too! That's the consensus on iNaturalist! And I agree about the wingbars! I had never seen a bird so striking at that time! The memory of that day came back so clearly when I happened upon this photo!