Calling Backyard Birdwatchers!

Today I came home from work, parked my car, and while I was making my way to my house, I heard the strangest sound. Our neighborhood is fortunate to have many local bird varieties, and I am accustomed to hearing all sorts of avian songs. This sound however, was different, and new to me. Immediately I thought of a Cardinal, with it's strong, sharp cry, but I am far too familiar with Cardinals, and knew without a doubt that this unusual song could not possibly come from my favorite red bird.

Looking about, I located the object of my distraction. He was perched atop a nearby tree, sitting on a still leafless branch which extended out over my neighbor's back yard. I wondered if possibly this cry was a distress call, or the call of a bird trying to locate it's mate.

Gathering my family outdoors, I pointed to the bird. Their first reaction was, "Oh, that's just a Robin". (From our vantage point, and shimmering in the sunshine, it's breast appeared orange.) After watching it for a few minutes, we realized that it just couldn't be a Robin, as the shape was entirely wrong. Soon my feathered friend flew away.


About an hour later, and much to my surprise, this same bird appeared sitting on the bushes outside my front door! All my neighbors flocked to see this new addition to our beloved neighborhood wildlife. No one knew the species!



Amazing us even more, this bird let us walk quietly around him, talk amongst ourselves, and get close enough to photograph it without becoming alarmed. He, (or she), seemed to be enjoying the attention! I felt like it was posing for me.






Now the sun has set, and our visitor has gone to it's nest, wherever that may be, and we are left still questioning, "What kind of bird was that?"

Can anyone help us?