I've got four pans of water and two birdbaths around the house and they are all busy. While watching a Catbird-Robin-Goldfinch-Flicker drinking combination on a deck rail pan, I saw a small warblerish bird sitting on the rail looking at the birdbath. It had a blue tail and rump (definitely blue, not gray), dark stripes on the sides of a white breast, and a greyish possibly-vaguely-striped back. I couldn't see the front of the bird very well, but the head looked kind of bluish-grayish. The bird flew away before I could grab binoculars. I checked my guide and the only thing it looked like is a Cerulean Warbler, which I've never seen. I'm almost certain the bird didn't have white cheeks like a Blackpoll or I would have noticed. I checked BIRDS OF IOWA and found out that Ceruleans are rare fall migrants and are supposed to be long gone. If someone can please tell me what this bird really was, I'd appreciate it. I hope it was able to get a drink. ch Cindy Hildebrand [email protected] Ames, IA 50010
"A cicada shell; it sang itself utterly away." (Matsuo Basho) --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
