Yes, another quiz!
The photo below contains all the information needed to identify this common, winter visitor to our area. Look carefully and you should be able to get it. Don’t get frustrated, but look at the bird and note what you see. A bird field guide might be helpful.
Caught in mid-hop, this little gem was on the path just above the Lemur House.
Good luck, and don’t forget to reply with your answer!
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Congratulations Sarah!!
Here's our bird from a different angle. Notice the wingbars, black-bordered yellow (golden) crown and plain underparts and back. The black and white wingbars and yellow-green edged flight feathers are distinctive on G-c Kinglets.
goldfinch
may be wrong but what about a yellow-rumped warbler. Your picture is amazing!!!!
Yellow-rumped warbler AKA butter butt?
I’m voting for a Golden-Crowned Kinglet. There’s something about the lack of striping on the sides, the overly heavy black markings that border the yellow crown and the even coloring of the back and sides that make me lean away from a Yellow-rumped warbler. Although, there have been bunches of yellow-rumpeds in the bear yard recently.
We have a winner!
Congratulations Sarah, it is indeed a Golden-crowned Kinglet!!
While there are half-a-dozen or so North American birds that have yellow on their crowns, there are only two that would typically be in our area during winter, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Golden-crowned Kinglet. The yellow on the crown of a Yellow-rumped Warbler, in most cases, would not be visible at this time of year, except on some males. And, as Sarah suggests, the yellow on the crown of the warbler is not bordered with black as in the kinglet. The yellow on the head of a American Goldfinch would not be restricted to the crown.
Sarah also aptly points out that Yellow-rumped Warblers have streaked backs and sides. Our bird has a plain greenish back.
You may also notice the distinctive wing bars of our bird, not clearly visible in the original photo, but if you look closely you can see it.
Congratulations again Sarah, that was a good one!
Thanks to all who replied, and stay tuned for more.
Love the hint in the caption.
Ha ha ha
I thought about using “royal” somewhere in the clue but thought that it would be just a bit too obvious.
Thanks,