Help ID this bird

[rawhide]

I used the bird ID websites but wasn't able to determine what this bird is. It is nested in a flower pot on my front porch, just outside the front door. She is small but not as small as a hummingbird. Long, pointed, brown beak; brown with a little white around the eyes and on her head; breast is white and maybe a little yellow. I will post a phone pic and hope it helps.

On a related note. Last week an acquaintance was telling about a large bird that dove toward him while he was mowing near a wooded area. He described it as large like an owl or hawk, but was black with a lot of white. Large beak like a predatory bird. Could it be a Crested Caracara or falcon?

 

[deerwhacker444]

Carolina wren probably, could also be a Bewick's wren, although they usually nest in a shelter of some sort.

I've had quite a few Mississippi kites swooping thru the yard lately. They do some crazy fast dives, but they're after bugs, mostly dragonflies. Have him pay attention next time, if they catch a dragonfly in their foot, they immediately start eating it on the fly. Very easy to notice. Also, since they're a bug eater, the other birds leave them alone and don't dive-bomb them like they do a Coopers Hawk or Sharp Shinned hawk, another way to tell.

 

[MacFromOK]

A pic out of the nest where we can actually see her might help...

 

[lasher]

mississippi kites will swoop and dive bomb if you're near their nest. here is a pic i took from about 80 yards away, the diving bird is the adult, the fledgling is perched watching

 

[rawhide]

Carolina wren probably, could also be a Bewick's wren, although they usually nest in a shelter of some sort.

I've had quite a few Mississippi kites swooping thru the yard lately. They do some crazy fast dives, but they're after bugs, mostly dragonflies. Have him pay attention next time, if they catch a dragonfly in their foot, they immediately start eating it on the fly. Very easy to notice. Also, since they're a bug eater, the other birds leave them alone and don't dive-bomb them like they do a Coopers Hawk or Sharp Shinned hawk, another way to tell.

How large is a Mississippie Kite? He described it as about 4 foot wing span and large beak. I assumed his mowing was stirring up mice and rats or he could be too close to a nest.

Wish I was better at identifying birds.

 

[rawhide]

Carolina wren probably, could also be a Bewick's wren, although they usually nest in a shelter of some sort.

I think this is a win. In the morning I'll see if I can get a look at the tail. The head sure looks like the Carolina wren. The plant pot on the porch has some gypsum moss for decoration. Her nest with 4 eggs is underneath the surface of the moss.

 

[rawhide]

A pic out of the nest where we can actually see her might help...

I'll try to get one in the morning. She did fly out after I took the picture.

 

[TerryMiller]

OK. I've always called the big black birds with the red head a Mississippi Kite. Anyone know then what I have been seeing?

 

[MacFromOK]

OK. I've always called the big black birds with the red head a Mississippi Kite. Anyone know then what I have been seeing?

Ah dude, that's a buzzard...

 

[Rooster1971]

Dang sure isn't a Kite. That red head may be a type of vulture