I was puzzled by this bird because it certainly wasn’t a Downy Woodpecker or a Red-bellied Woodpecker. After visiting allaboutbirds.org and consulting my Sibley bird guide, it seems this was my first sighting ever of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a female, an infrequent (as best) feeder visitor. That was two weeks ago and I haven’t seen it since.
My hiatus has ended!
Every day this week, this Song Sparrow has perched on a sunflower plant outside work, preens, and sings its lovely song. I invite you to visit AllAboutBirds to hear it.
Here is a closer view of one of the Broad-winged Hawks I saw Saturday evening. You can see the distinctive white stripe across the tail as well as the black border on the wings.
I don’t remember ever seeing one before and had get out my hard copy of The Sibley Guide to Birds to identify it. Then I went to its entry at allaboutbirds.org to learn more.
previouslytexan 