Birding/Identifying a Bird

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 7/24/2008


Question
I live in lower Michigan.  I have a small bird that has nested in my hanging geranium plant on our deck.  She is a small bird with a beak similar to a hummingbird.  She is lighter in color through the breast with brown wings that look alittle orange/red.  Her head is blackish with what looks like a white streak.  I've been trying to get a picture of her so I can identify her, but can't zoom in far enough to get a clear shot.  She sings very lovely!  We also have about four babies in the nest! Any ideas on what she might be?

Answer
Hopefully it is a Carolina Wren (and not a similar house wren which has some bad habits). If it constantly is flickibg its tail it is probably a wren. One pair of Carolinas nested in my garage this year in a bicycle helmet, and they had to get into the garage through a crack under the door! Another pair has my newspaper box blocked with a nest now. Go to your library or a book store and get a birding field guide which will tell you for sure. If you also have Bluebirds or wish to learn about them and other small cavity nesters please send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you a free 20 page Bluebird book.

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Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.

Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.

Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.

Past/Present Clients
Many

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