AboutJulia Booth Expertise I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena.
Experience I have ten years birding experience in Southern California. I am well versed in all the species living in the Western US. Many hours spent birding. I have been frequently told I should lend my knowledge to good use, and have encountered few bird related questions that I cannot answer.
Organizations Audubon Society
Education/Credentials My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.
Expert: Julia Booth Date: 6/27/2008 Subject: bird identification
Question There is a bird near my workplace that I have never seen before. It is dark brown with a large white circular patch ( about 2" in diameter) on the bottom of each wing and a white patch near the tail.It perches on the top of telephone poles and sings an incredibly varied song composed of shrill notes and cackles then switches to a very melodious and soft song.All the while it is singing,it performs a hopping,wing-flapping dance, then flies to the next telephone pole where it does the whole song and dance again. Can you tell me what it is?
Answer Okay this isn't setting off any immediate bells. I can think of things that meet one of your criteria, but not the others. So, I'm going to try to get some more info from you to help me narrow it down.
1. Where do you live? The county should be enough, but if you're willing to give me the city, that would be helpful.
2. How large was the bird? Sparrow sized, Robin sized, Crow sized?
3. What kind of beak did it have? Was it curved at all? Was it long or short, sharp or dull?
4. What kind of tail did it have? Was it long or short? Was it wide and fanned out or narrow and pointy? Did the tail aim downwards or stick up from the bird's body?
The more questions you can answer, the more likely I can give you an accurate ID.
