Bravo to Margaret and all of her responders! A couple of months ago I
identified an adult female Black-headed Grosbeak in my feeder as an adult
female Bobolink. Some Tweeters were kind enough to straighten me out with
respect and kindness. Margaret, Keep on Asking!

Rolan Nelson
Burley, WA
Rolan.Nelson at nw.amedd.army.mil

-----Original Message-----
From: Margaret Parkinson [mailto:margparkie at home.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2001 10:10 PM
To: jstephens62 at home.com; Tweeters
Subject: Re: Who could this be?


I have been thinking about how fooled I was by the shape of this young
Starling too. I have watched other young Starlings and recognized them as
such. However, this one had me fooled. I think this was because of several
factors in addition to those suggested by Jack.

1. This bird not in a place I am used to seeing Starlings -- pecking away
on grassy spaces.
2. I saw the bird through a window and took photos through a window. Our
house is older and the glass is wavy in places. I notice that House Wrens
sometimes look larger than life through the window. However, sometimes I
don't open the window for fear of sending a particular bird away.
3. The bird was draped around a tubular shelled peanut feeder. This
position could alter its apparent shape.
4. The biggest thing for me was the stunning strips of white spots on black
..... which I recognized as like those of a winter Starling but the other
factors took my thinking process away from this idea. Also, being a
beginner, I had never seen a Starling in this stage of transition from
juvenile to adult before.

Anyway, this process has added to my appreciation of birding. It is
constantly interesting.

Thanks to everyone who has posted reassurance about asking questions.
Actually I was not really offended by the early suggestion I received
figuring that part of the learning process is to try and work things out for
one's self. However, as a beginner it is helpful to have that process
confirmed or rejected by more knowledgeable folk. Tweeters has been very
helpful to me in this regard on several occasions. Thank you. I have also
found this a very friendly group both online and in person. I have met
several Tweeters at "the Fill" and at Greenlake and they have always been
friendly and generous in sharing their knowledge.

I am having a grand time and am still amazed at how unobservant I have been
for so many years. The life around me is thrilling to see.

Margaret Parkinson
mailto: margparkie at home.com
University District, Seattle

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jack Stephens" <jstephens62 at home.com>
To: "Tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2001 8:35 PM
Subject: re: Who could this be?


> Margaret Parkinson's difficulty in identifying the juvenile starling
raises
> an interesting problem in bird identification. She stated that her mystery
> bird was "not really the shape of Starling". I too have noticed that
> significant changes in plumage can affect the apparent shape of the bird.
To
> my eye, juvenile Starlings have always looked sleeker and less chunky than
> their adult counterparts. In closer inspection I feel this is an optical
> illusion based on the color of the bird. I have also found this effect
with
> Pigeon Guillemots. In breeding plumage, they seem more slender, almost
> refined looked compared to the dumpy winter-plumaged birds. Again, I think
> this is more illusion than real. Margaret and I may be alone on this, but
I
> would be surprised if it doesn't surface for other birders from time to
> time.
> I would also like to add my voice to those who encourage questions on
> Tweeters from beginning birders. Novice birders, and non-birders,
frequently
> ask me questions about birds. Often, I haven't a clue to the correct
answer.
> It helps me realize how easy it is to fall into a rut with birding, and
how
> valuable a fresh perspective is.
>
>
> Jack Stephens
> Edmonds, WA
> jstephens62 at home.com
>
>
>