Small brownish-grey bird with tuft
by Cindy Murray
(Pennsylvania)
July 7, 2018. I live about 22 miles outside of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, in Lower Burrell.
I have been putting out black oil sunflower seeds for the birds, on the porch roof outside my upstairs window.
A lot of finches come to eat, although only one or two ever come that have red on them. There are a lot of mourning dove, some grackle, and a few sparrow.
Only once, when I had put out some mango pieces, I saw a Cedar Waxwing. The very tip of its tail was bright yellow. I had never seen one before or since.
A few times I have seen a bright yellow and black Goldfinch. It looked like it was having trouble eating the sunflower seed.
For approximately the past month, a funny looking little bird has been coming to eat. He (or she) comes all by itself and eats with the other birds. I have never seen another one like it. Now, or ever in my life, and I am in my 50's.
It looks similar in size to a small cardinal. It has a tuft on its head that I can see go up and down. It is a very plain, funny brownish-grey color all over, and the underneath is lighter. There may be a hint of a reddish color on the tail and wings, but basically it looks like a funny little brownish-grey bird. Its beak is lighter, not dark black, and there are no markings or black on it. (It is not a female or juvenile Cardinal.)
I have tried to look it up online, but I can't seem to find it. What it looks like is an Oak or Juniper Titmouse, but I have read that they are only find in the western half of the U.S. Any ideas??