Can someone help me identify a bird?

Question

My cat had a bird the other day...luckily I think I got to it before any serious damage was done, it could not fly though. I got an animal rescue org. to come get it. The bird was small, kind of shaped like a chickadee but a little bigger. It had a distictive black mask that came to points above the eyes and to points on the side of the eyes. The mask was outlined in yellow. The head and up to the "shoulders" was a light brown and then the color changed at that point to gray (a light to medium gray). The tail was straight and black on the end and tipped in yellow. It did not have a crest or any red that I noticed. It's not a Cedar Waxwing...but it closely resembles this bird. The mask on the Cedar Waxwing is different and like I mentioned before it had no crest. I have looked and looked but I cannot figure out what kind of bird it is. I live in southern Louisiana..if that helps. I would appreciate any help with the id. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I do think this bird is a Cedar Waxwing. There can be a lot of variation in markings. The crest can be held down, especially when the bird is stressed. I cant think of any other bird even close to this.

I do want to gently tell you something. This bird almost certainly died. Even the smallest scratch from a cat will cause massive infection in a bird. I have a friend who is a rehabber and she told me that its a death sentence. I am not a cat hater. I have a very beloved kitty named Patchouli. She is a completely indoor cat and is very happy. Cats will hunt. Its their nature. Its also healthier for the cat in the long run. I am not telling you this to make you feel badly, but because I love both cats and birds.

Answer 2

Whats throwing me off is the yellow tip on the tail ... you sure its not a cedar waxwing with a few missing feathers in his head (courtesy of kitty) http://www.featheredfotos.com/spppages/songbirds/cedar%20waxwing.html.
An other bird that fit most of your criteria could be horned lark
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/peterson/resources/identifications/hola/index.shtml
If that's not it check out http://www.houstonaudubon.org/index.cfm/act/newsletter.cfm/newsletterid/167/category/Bird%20Gallery/MenuGroup/Home.htm if the shape was like that bird it's probably some type of warbler and there are quite a few species that can be found in Louisiana. In many of these species the males have a black mask like the yellow-rumped warbler http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Yellow-rumped_Warbler.html or the chestnut-sided warbler http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Chestnut-sided_Warbler.html , if it is a warbler would need a bit more information to ID it.

Answer 3

It could be a Savannah Sparrow or Spotted Sanpiper, but their masks aren't as distinctive as the Cedar Waxwing. Here'a a website you can look at and try to match:
http://losbird.org/labirds/labirds.htm

Answer 4

It's a Cedar Waxwing. Keep your cat inside.

Answer 5

I hate to spread doom and gloom, but there's a good chance the little birdy is done for if there were any puncture wounds at all. Cats have a particularly nasty bacteria that occurs naturally in their mouths called pasturella. If there are any wounds the bird would need to be treated with antibiotics ASAP or it will likely die. Best to keep your cat indoors.

Answer 6

I dont recognize the right call for the poultry yet i spotted it has a featherless head. Featherless head and massive hooked beak commonly point out a carion eater of a few form. Carion eaters are the "street kill freshen up group" of the poultry international. They consume lifeless and diseased animals they locate. they do no longer commonly "hunt". i might say you have been finding at some sort of close by sort of vulture. verify you shut by library for birds close by on your section. Or deliver your image to the close by poultry watchers society. they could enable you recognize precisely what form of poultry you have.

Answer 7

It's a bald eagle.
You're in trouble sister.