Spring has complicated my life when it comes to bird identification. I started photographing (and trying to identify) birds last fall, when many of the birds had already left the area. Over the winter, there was a limited set of birds that I gradually became accustomed to seeing and I learned to identify them. Even when we had lots of different kinds of ducks, I could look in the section of my identification guide and figure out what they were.
Spring has brought all kinds of new species that have left me baffled and confused. Some of the birders are all excited by the return of warblers, including the Yellow-rumped Warbler. I can’t even see the birds when they point them out to me, much less figure out what color the color of the bird’s rump.
Here’s a recent photo I took of a pretty little bird that I have not yet been able to identify. I’d welcome any hints about what kind of a bird it is.
To add insult to injury, leaves are starting to appear on the trees, which will future challenge my ability to identify birds. I may have to go back to photographing insects.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Nice capture!
It’s a little bit different posture for this bird, but I am going to say Eastern Phoebe. They usually have their head feathers more erect than this, but the bill, the white breast, and gray head look right for a Phoebe. Was it flicking its tail?
Thanks. I’ve looked at a whole lot of photos of the Eastern Phoebe and think that you are probably right about the identification, Sue. The bill may seem to be unusually light-colored because of a reflection.
Hmmm.., now that I look at it again, the bill is the wrong color for a Phoebe. Well, it’s some kind of flycatcher.
An abundance of wealth I would say. Quite lucky to have such a problem.
I don’t know what kind of bird this is but I just picked up some mini binoculars that have made life much easier for me. They weigh next to nothing and cost less than $20.00. They might help you see those birds that people are pointing out.
We are thinking on the same wavelength, for I have been thinking about getting some binoculars to carry along with me. I was talking with one of the birders and he said you can get a relatively good pair for “only” $250. I am not willing to put out that much, but will do a little research on them.
The pair I got cost $15.00 and are fine for what I do, which is scan the woods for wild flowers. They also fit in your pocket. I wouldn’t think you’d need high quality optics just for a quick look at a bird that you were going to photograph with high quality optics.