Orange-crowned Warbler- A Lifer Bird!

 

This year is ending with a flurry of backyard bird activity. A highlight has been discovering a species I have not seen before (nor had ever hear of), what us birders call a “lifer.” Press play above to see what my camera captured. 

This is an Orange-crowned Warbler. It resembles the Pine Warbler and a few other small birds that are regular or occasional visitors to our feeders. The screenshot above is from the 15-second video below. The clip at the beginning shows a Brown-headed Nuthatch and the aforementioned Pine Warbler. 

American Redstart a Startling Backyard Discovery!

 

It is rare these days when a bird comes to my backyard feeders that I do not recognize. But in recent weeks a visitor has had me doing double takes. And triple takes. (See story update below!)

What is with the yellow feathers at the end of this bird? I thought they were at the tip of its wings. Now I know these are yellow tail feathers. 

Now I know this is an American Redstart, a “New World Warbler” according to Wikipedia (OK maybe not the best source for ornithology). 

Curious name for this yellow-tinged bird. Redstart. Well, the name comes more from the male version  that has a “Halloween-themed color scheme,” as described by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.