Virgina Rail

We are pretty sure this is a Virgina Rail. We ran into him at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. At first we thought he might be a green heron, or maybe a least bittern, but unless someone can convince us otherwise, we are sticking with the Virginia Rail.

Black-necked Stilt

We visited the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary and got these photos of the black-necked stilt.

American Avocet

Photo of an Avocet, taken in California. Because he has long legs and a long bill, we were surprised to see him swim and eat like a duck, not a stilt.

Marbled Godwits

Photos of Marbled Godwits, a type of Sandpiper, taken in California

Ducks

We skimmed our bird books and can't really identify these.

Least Sandpiper

From Tom in Mount Taber, NJ: Downy Woodpecker & Female Cardinal

First, A downy woodpecker at my feeder today. I noticed that he would eat from the tray, and not perch on the openings.
Second, a female cardinal – she was accompanied by what I believe is a juvenile – much more red, but not fully, like a grown male.
Taken in Mount Tabor, NJ