Unknown bird

EL34/6L6 said:
Could be a wren...
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I my experience the most probable suspect you name: the Winter Wren (inexplicably renamed the Pacific Wren) is smaller and has a very fine almost peeping cry.
You have to be close to hear it about the same volume as a Chickadee.
Last time I seen a Winter Wren I was in Juneau.
I suspect you more often see them coastal BC.
I live in north east Alberta friend. Almost in north Saskatchewan.
 
Guessing a Dark-eyed Junco based on perching near your window and looking for food. They will hunt for bugs in the corners and gaps in a house's siding. Maybe a Chickadee. If it was dark and you missed the colours. They often attempt to stash food in the nooks and crannies on a house.
 
Junco is a reasonable guess. They are migratory and are on the move now. Most small birds migrate at night to avoid predators, and can be attracted/confused by artificial light. Flycatchers would have long since left that area. It's too late in the year for them at that latitude. As has been said, many small birds are drab-coloured at this time of year. Unlikely to be a wren, though they do sometimes creep around houses to gather insects. BTW, you still have Winter Wrens in that area. It hasn't been renamed, but split. Pacific Wren (looks much the same but has a slightly different song) is found mainly in the Rockies and west. As others have said... snap a picture with your cell phone! Even a crappy pic can be exceptionally helpful in identifying the species. There are lots of good birders out there, even on hunting sites.
 
badgreenbird said:
Junco is a reasonable guess. They are migratory and are on the move now. Most small birds migrate at night to avoid predators, and can be attracted/confused by artificial light. Flycatchers would have long since left that area. It's too late in the year for them at that latitude. As has been said, many small birds are drab-coloured at this time of year. Unlikely to be a wren, though they do sometimes creep around houses to gather insects. BTW, you still have Winter Wrens in that area. It hasn't been renamed, but split. Pacific Wren (looks much the same but has a slightly different song) is found mainly in the Rockies and west. As others have said... snap a picture with your cell phone! Even a crappy pic can be exceptionally helpful in identifying the species. There are lots of good birders out there, even on hunting sites.
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Dark Eyed Juncos have been seen in this vicinity.
Particularly when the grass cutters were slow to remove cut grass. We seen them sorting throw this dead foliage curbside. Probably for bugs and seeds.
We are kind of careful with cameras here. Because if you film on south side of our building we are in violation of local rules.
 
Big Bad said:
Defending my flycatcher theory, wrens are distinctively tiny and juncos and chickadees are seed eaters.
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Sir you have a good point. I am just a newcomer to the world of species so small and hard to identify as songbirds.
This unknown one was larger than a Chickadee but only slightly smaller than your average full grown Robin.
It was seen during hours of darkness but the overhead lights were working.
The Olive Sided Flycatcher is seemingly the perfect color match and body/beak shape.

I would rather debate this politely, than immerse myself into other really rotten political news.
 
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