WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: Mystery sighting, fledglings, more

Thanks to readers’ contributions, here’s another West Seattle bird gallery – starting with a mystery bird that several people have asked us about in recent weeks. The photo above is from Heather, who said, “This guy has been hanging around the Fauntleroy Park area (near Cambridge entrance) for the past month. Anyone know the story of this lone pheasant friend?” Please comment below if you do! Meantime, less mysterious sightings include fledglings – Ann Anderson photographed a House Sparrow:

And this Steller’s Jay is from Robin Sinner:

Two from James Tilley – first, a Bald Eagle:

And a Common Loon:

Jon Anderson says these Band-Tailed Pigeons are fans of his feeder;

Finally, a hummingbird photographed by Brian Michel:

You can find info about these and other bird species seen in our region – with photos and even audio of their calls – by going here. P.S. We also feature bird photos periodically in our daily event lists, published every morning – thanks again to everyone who contributes!

15 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: Mystery sighting, fledglings, more"

  • waikikigirl June 25, 2023 (3:05 pm)

    I love all the pictures but OMG that Bald Eagle one, didn’t James Tilley click at just the right moment!

  • anonyme June 25, 2023 (3:43 pm)

    As spectacular and exotic as the ‘mystery’ bird appears, I think it’s a male ring-necked pheasant, a year-round resident here.

    • Samara June 27, 2023 (1:10 pm)

      It is in fact a pheasant.

  • Insertname June 25, 2023 (3:59 pm)

    Wow. That bald eagle photo really is something else. The perfect shot. Great photos as always. Thanks for sharing 🍻

  • Merna June 25, 2023 (4:01 pm)

    I think the mystery bird is a ring-necked/green pheasant.

  • Insertname June 25, 2023 (4:04 pm)

    P.S. What do you get when you cross a pheasant and a chukar? 

    • justincase June 25, 2023 (8:16 pm)

      Is it a swear word starting with PH?? ;-D

  • TP June 25, 2023 (4:09 pm)

    I think the mystery bird is a ring necked pheasant. Native to Asia but introduced all over the world.

  • H20K9 June 25, 2023 (6:15 pm)

    I spotted a ring neck pheasant  in Camp Long a few days ago. 

  • Jerry Simmons June 25, 2023 (6:19 pm)

    Such a shame to have missed the bird line up and especially for how many bird images I submit… Sad face.

  • WSCurmudgeon June 25, 2023 (6:24 pm)

    The mystery about the male Ring-necked Pheasant is presumably how he got here.   They’re common in rural areas of E WA, and a few rural areas W of the Cascades.  Like the female Wild Turkey of several years ago,  once birds that don’t fly long distances get on our peninsula, they find it difficult to leave.  

    Many of the photographers whose work appears on WS Blog are professionals or talented amateurs with professional level equipment.  Mr Tilley is a pro,  I believe.  The eagle photo resulted from his photographic skills.  Of course, knowing when to shoot is one of those skills.

  • Anders June 26, 2023 (7:27 am)

      I also was quite surprised when I saw a Chukar running up Dakota Street at about 37th SW a couple years ago. I followed it around for about a half hour – seemed to be hungry and searching for foodIt was during the big fires east of us so I wondered if it could be a “refugee”.  But the consensus was it has escaped from someone who is raising game birds in the area.  Don’t know who / where that would be however. Maybe someone does?

  • Ann June 26, 2023 (8:03 pm)

    Nice to see the beautiful band-tails! Our native dove that we don’t get to see very often. Outstanding image of the eagle, James. Really illustrates what we can’t observe well in real time – the tremendous power, energy, hard work and skill these birds need to hunt successfully.  Just great!

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