Common bird id (pacific northwest) (1 Viewer)

[katlzxdcj]

Large group (flock?) of medium sized birds (about the size of a robin).
long narrow bill, dark brown to black on top with a speckled underbody. They have short tail feathers. Very noisy, they chatter and sing. They are primarily in the trees, not on the ground, and they don't seem to fly much unless they are moving to a different tree. They have been picking off bark and eating something underneath, it appears.

I am in western washington, usa. We have primarily oak trees in this area. They are common birds here, I would just like to know what they are.

Thanks.

 

[Rapala]

Sounds like European Starlings. Quite common throughout the U.S. In winter their speckles on their underside become more prominent. Welcome to BF!

 

[katlzxdcj]

They don't look like them at all (after googling european starling). Are there different variations of colors for them? To clarify, these birds don't have that distinct spotting in their feathers that the pictures show, but rather streaks that make it look like a marbled pattern...if that makes sense. (I'm new at this )

 

[katlzxdcj]

and thanks for the welcome!

 

[Rapala]

Immature Starlings are mostly brown with a white throat and streaks down the belly. The summer plumage is dark and mostly deep green and purple that can look different colors depending on the light. This plumage doesn't have many spots or speckles. Winter plumage is heavily speckled, but the nape, back and wings are brown. Their tail doesn't have many spots. As for it not looking like a Starling....I can't think of much else.... I'll keep scanning my guide.

 

[Rapala]

Could you get a picture?

 

[fugl]

Have to be starlings, I think. Nothing else fits the description.

 

[katlzxdcj]

They come around in the morning, I'll see if I can get a picture tomorrow. It's pretty sunny out, I didn't see any sort of color on them. Also, their feathers on top were pretty solid, no streaks or anything, also no white on the head or throat. Some of them were two toned, with the head being lighter brown than the rest of the body. The patterning on their belly is very prominent though, and it's summer. I've seen them a lot, but I realized I've never known what they are, I've looked through an online guide and couldn't find anything that looked like them at all.

Anyways, thanks for the help. I'll get that picture as soon as possible!

Edit: Oh, and I don't know if this helps, but when they fly, their tail feathers are a sort of inverted v shape.

 

[chris butterworth]

Welcome to Birdforum. The "two toned" part of the description gives it away. Young Starlings, moulting from juvenile to adult plumage, retain the brownish grey feathers on the head longer than the rest of the bird making them look very distinctive.

Chris

 

[katlzxdcj]

Ah, I went back out today and saw some that did have some green to them. Mystery solved. Thank you!