Bird Identification
Posted by Gina VanEperen on April 22, 2006
Q: It's approximatly 5-6" long, is blueish grey throughout body but belly is an orangish color, it is building a nest on our gutters,there are no tufts on top of the head. We are in Northern WI and there is a pond and a lake not far away and we are surrounded by forrest. What kind of bird is it? I believe it is common I just can't find it online. Can you help me? Thank you.
Habitat: forest/open woods
State: Wisconsin
Habitat: forest/open woods
A: From your description it sounds like an Eastern Bluebird. They're cavity nesters that respond well to man-made houses, but are know to use vent pipes, down spouts, etc. Bluebirds have an orangish throat an chest, but their belly is white. Also they're about 6-7 inches from the tip of their bill to the tip of their tail.
See this site for a photograph and species description: www.birds.cornell.edu
You may want to check Tufted Titmouse and Black-capped Chickadee to rule them out or in. Pictures of these two are at: www.baldeagleinfo.com
Let us know which bird you have!
Jim Berry ( April 24, 2006)