These juveniles are really tricky. My primary clue for the ID for this one was from this bird being in the middle of a flock of Brewer's Blackbirds. However, there were cowbirds not too far away. So it is worth a closer look. It's hard to find examples of similar juveniles. The bill shape, primary projection, and tail length all point to a Brewer's. The iridescence points to a male Brewer's rather than female. The eye color? Well, not all pale-eyed birds are born with pale eyes. Maybe this is one of those species whose eyes change color. Besides that, juvenile cowbirds have pale brown backs and streaky breasts, and they look rather splotchy and untidy when they molt into adult plumage.
Guest
24-Jul-2012 03:17
Fabulous photo. Looking forward to more. Not sure about the lack of a yellow eye. So many cowbirds around the hint of green iridescence in the belly and the beginnings of a brown head make me think this is a juvenile male almost ready to become a breeding male cowbird. bp
