Feb 25 - backyard bloor west toronto
Outdoor Ontario

Feb 25 - backyard bloor west toronto

meandsid

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My son and I saw a jay sized bird on the oak trees in our backyard the other morning.  We were on our way out the door so had no time to take a photo and now can't ID it.  It was greyish coloured, had black on it's head, a crest, a black band around it's neck and a very distinct black tip on the underside of it's tail.  The tail did not fan out.  It's bill was long and black and it's song was a long single note rather tinny sounding, very distinctive and loud. He seemed very clumsy in the tree, kept trying to hop onto the side or another branch without much grace.  We are very curious and can't find anything that matches this is our bird books.  I've even gone to bird song sites and can't identify the call either.  If anyone can help we'd appreciate it.  Maybe a juvenile something??
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by meandsid »


thouc

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Grey with black cap sounds like a Gray Catbird. It doesn't have a crest though and is rare during this time of the year.

/Thomas
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by thouc »


Bird Brain

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If you hear what sounds like a kitten "mewing", look at your backyard and see this same bird, it's a Catbird.

 8)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Bird Brain »
Jo-Anne :)

"If what you see by the eye doesn't please you, then close your eyes and see from the heart".


raypye

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It is most likely someones pet bird. The only Toronto birds with a crest are Waxwings, Cardinals, and Blue Jays.
Rayfield Pye
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by raypye »


Faltorvo

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Maybe a cockatile (sp) got loose?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Faltorvo »


DavidB

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What about Tufted Titmouse? They are a bit smaller than Jays, but who among us hasn't been thrown off by apparent size? Crest and colour are consistent with your description.
Thoughts?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by DavidB »


BC

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What were the light conditions? I've often been confused by cast shadows from branches, etc. Common birds can be almost completely transformed.
The size, crest and neck collar as well as the hopping around all suggest Blue Jay to me. Even the greyish colour is right, under some conditions.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by BC »


BirderBill

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I am certain I have seen a Whiskeyjack in the Downsview area.  Try looking that up, and see if it's close?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by BirderBill »


Tyler

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Are you sure it was a Gray Jay aka Whiskey jack.
I ask this for 2 reasons
1) Northern Mockingbirds are regular residents in the Downsview area. They love to nest near railroad tracks and there are several territories along the tracks in the Downview area.
Also northen Mockingbirds are generally a simliar looking bird from a glance

2) Gray jay are generally not migratory or irruptive. I do not know how many years over even decades since the last confirmed Gray Jay was in the GTA.

If you see it again please get a picture of it.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Tyler »


BirderBill

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Sure.
FYI, I have seen it near the Downsview CF Base, and in a garden by my office building.  Will try for a photo.  Having seen the Mockingbird pics though, it is not what I saw.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by BirderBill »