A bird in the hand...

(a note on the table):
"MB I tried to revive an injured bird... but alas it died and is waiting for you to identify it--on the dryer. Love, Dad"

i knew what it was at first glance, but i want to show u that there's actually a process to identifying.

first, shape/size. fairly large bird (note that all birds are "small" compared to anything in the human world. so really, this bird fits in my hand, but in the avian world its large.) there really arent many large birds. 11.5" shaped like a typical passerine, or song bird. has thin, pointy beak, longish tail, slim body, u know, the typical idea of a bird. come to think of it, the size and shape of a robin. good comparison bird!

overall coloring: brown. brown everywhere except the underparts, which r streaked w/ brown.

things to note: two wing bars, bill long, tail long.

ok so now i'm in the thrush family, just cuz of the shape and cuz its brown w/ stripes. the thrushes actually have spots (plus, only one, the hermit thrush, would be here in the winter) but the thrasher has its spots lined up more to make stripes. plus, the thrushes only ever have one wing bar.

the two wing bars and the brown streaked chest of an otherwise all-brown bird clinches it: brown thrasher.

its just kinda weird to see it so close, cuz i've always needed magnifying binoculars in the wild...

up close i notice how his stripes are formed by the overlaying feathers. i even notice whiskers around the base of his beak. kinda like a cat! goodness, his tail really is as long as his body! and his beak as big as his head! i feel like i could study this specimen for hrs, comparing the drawings in my identification books. they really dont seem to completely represent the real thing!

but i'm probly making ppl start to stress for my health (and sanity). "what about bird flu?!?!" that reminds me of a story i will save for another time, about ppl who didnt support my fascination w/ dead birds.

[birding rule #3: identification marks are what its all about. but there really is never anything to compare w/ holding a bird in your hand. i guess "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" :p ]