sawyer_n_a_dawson's Identifications

I was unable to get a good photo but I'd like an ID if possible. Smaller than the European Starlings also perched in this Silver Maple tree at the time. I will post a number of photos, some originals and some crops.

Point of interest. As I was nearing my door to go in at the end of my birding session, I heard birds at the tree, then this bird about the size of a mourning dove flew directly at me, swerved to pass me. I noticed it carrying another birds, which Mourning Doves absolutely do not.

I had an appointment to meet but I tied up my cat and went to watch this bird. It had perched on the gable of a nearby house roof. Apparently I had witnessed the takedown of prey (the auditory aspect). I videographed the first part of the gory breakfast, thinking if only the occupants of the house knew what was happening over their heads.

I think the unfortunate bird is a mourning dove but I can't be certain.

Please excuse the many screenshots from the video depicting the Merlin's prey. I really wanted to know who the victim was so I did my best to get photos/video of it. But I was restricted by property lines consisting of fences and by trees that limited my ability for a good view.

I call Downy rather than Hairy because Downy is the drumming I have been hearing earlier this spring. The distinguishing field marks mentioned at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Downy_Woodpecker/species-compare/68929231 are not visible in this photo.

Listen for the single-note sharp chirp or whistle at the beginning. It occurs only once. It's taken from a video of the Downy Woodpecker at the feeder. American Goldfinches were in the nearby tree. Sparrows and Starlings may have also been within one hundred metres.

This bird is the tamest wild bird I have ever encountered. A Goldfinch and this Pine Siskin were at the feeder when I returned from birding on my building's premises. The Goldfinch flew away but the Siskin stayed.

I moved closer and closer, photographing as I went. Eventually it flitted over to the birdbath where I got one photo. I stopped to change the camara setting for the new lighting situation but by then it had flown away. It got a drink at the birdbath. I haven't seen it since. NEWSFLASH! It's singing now--at least it was when I started writing this.