How can I tell the difference between Downy and Hairy? Somewhere I read that the dark dividing line on the red patch is a distinction but I forget which is which! This one clearly shows the dark dividing line on the red patch. I will also post screenshots from the video showing other angles of this bird.
I can't figure out what birds these are. There are a lot of them, 4 to 6 individuals or so, according to the sounds I heard. I could not record it all.
I'd say Chimney Swifts for the pattern of chirping and flying. I didn't see them but one can sort of judge pattern of flying by where the sound is moving. I have listened to a LOT of Chimney Swifts this summer and everything is the same except for the call. It's not as fast and high-pitched. Also, one bird (in second track) seemed to be in tree above me for a bit and Chimney Swifts don't perch!
Two other possibilities that occurred to me are Black-capped Chickadee and American Goldfinch. Both species are around here in the numbers I suspect by the sounds I heard--4 to 6 individuals.
Abandoned or failed Mourning Dove nest.
This is the Mourning Dove nest I've been watching since July 1 2024. The most recent posted here was https://inaturalist.ca/observations/229927233, seen July 17 at 6:50 AM. But I also saw the bird on the nest that evening at about 7:43.
July 3 https://inaturalist.ca/observations/227125908
July 1, building the nest https://inaturalist.ca/observations/226956736
@sawyer_n_a_dawson too much road noise for Merlin to pick up any bird songs
@sawyer_n_a_dawson too much road noise for Merlin to pick up any bird songs
In Photo A, the Robin is making a chirp. In Photo B, the chirp is completed.
Note that when American Robins chirp, they do not open their beaks noticeably. Their throat blows up the tiniest bit, which raises their beak and changes the position of the head, which in turn affects the shadow on the side of the head in the photos above. As you compare these two photos, you will note a difference in the line of the shadow and in the line of the actual throat.
This phenomenon is similar to the Mourning Dove. However, the Mourning Dove's throat inflates like a balloon when it coos, and deflates into a slim pitcher handle when the call is completed.
That has been my observation.
@sawyer_n_a_dawson do you hear something other than a cardinal?
Try to ID the chip call. My apologies for the heavy traffic sounds, the generator on the construction site next door, and barking dog. I really need to know who is making that chip call. I was unable to get the most consistent call. Is it a Black-capped Chickadee, a Northern Cardinal, or some other bird? I heard it a lot and also saw a Black-capped Chickadee in the area where that call came from.