George found you something great. Go here.
That is one scary-looking bird!
For something a little cuter, go here.
Incidentally, if anyone has some Unidentified Flying Dinosaurs they’d like to see published and identified here at the cantina, please feel free to send them in! I can be reached at dhunterauthor at yahoo dot com. Please put UFD in the subject line, and note where you took the photo.
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rq
June 27, 2012 at 1:22 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Oh! A cardinal! Apparently he doesn’t like having his picture taken. It makes me glad that dinosaurs these days are somewhat reduced in size.
Adrian
June 27, 2012 at 5:09 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
A Tree Sparrow as well. I didn’t know these were in the States. Have they been introduced?
From the Mantis I suspect this is in a Southern state so what are Tree Sparrows doing there?
grignon
June 27, 2012 at 6:49 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
The insect is a katydid; a sort of noisy, amped up grasshopper. They can inflict a painful bite. They’re not real strong flyers so after the bite, you can throw them pretty far.
rq
June 27, 2012 at 7:47 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Katydids bite? I was not aware. I’ll be less happy to see them in the future.
grignon
June 27, 2012 at 1:34 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
To be fair, they’re not aggressive biters. You have to pick them up and marvel at the color, their narrow body, those long legs. When you start laughing at those totally inadequate wings is when they get pissed off.
rq
June 27, 2012 at 10:58 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Katydids Are People Too, eh? :) To be honest, I’ve never actually held one for long enough to let it bite me… Some experimentation with katydid emotions is in order, I think.
Trebuchet
June 27, 2012 at 8:04 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Wikipedia says the Eurasian Tree Sparrow has been introduced in North America. I’d have taken it for a House/English sparrow but your identification appears correct, based on the white band around the back of the neck.
I loved the katydid, and really wish we had Cardinals around here!
Will have to find a UFD or two for you, Dana!
Adrian
June 27, 2012 at 9:54 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
The all-brown cap and white cheek give it away. Spuggies have a grey central stripe to the cap.
Trebuchet
June 27, 2012 at 10:16 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
The Wikipedia article also says they’re limited to the area around St. Louis, which fits where the picture was taken and explains why I wasn’t aware of them.
I hadn’t heard the term “spuggies” before!
rq
June 27, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
‘Spuggies’ is an awesome term.
Adrian
June 27, 2012 at 12:52 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
It’s a Northern England dialect name. Sorry, I don’t know the origin.