small tan bird with bright yellow tail markings

I live in SW Wisconsin. I have a new bird--about the size of a chipping sparrow, maybe even a little smaller, wren-like in posture with tail straight up. Very shy but hanging around my birdbath. It is mostly buff or light brown, with bright yellow along the side edges of the tail, which is tipped with black. Also has a black line through eyes. Not in any of my bird books or online ID. Thanks!

Comments for small tan bird with bright yellow tail markings

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Sep 11, 2014
 I saw it in Minnesota NEW
by: Anonymous

Two of these birds came to our bird bath this morning. I had never seen a bird like this before and had to look it up. Your description fits. It's probably just passing through Southern Minnesota.
Oct 07, 2012
 Small bird with yellow markings on outside tail feathers NEW
by: Patty

I believe I've seen the same (breed) bird in NC on Oct 6, 2012.
I was watching a couple of titmouse firds taking a bath and noticed another bird in the bushes.. flying back and forth; seemed very interested in the birdbath! It was small, not much larger than a chickadee, but slender. Its color was nearly all light brown and was I surprised to see equally shaped yellow circles when the tail spread out. The bird seemed very shy - afraid to to go the birdbath while other birds were bathing. The bird clinged to the brick wall - this surprised me as many birds cannot or do not do this. It's song was different from anything I'd heard before too.
I believe, based on what I found searching for this bird on the internet, that this is an immature, female, American Redstart.
Sep 02, 2012
 I just saw one
by: B4Sunup

I live in Michigan Thumb and just saw similar bird. Researching online I came across your description. Based on my searching I am convinced the one I saw is a female or immature American Redstart. They are olive/gray/tan with yellow markings unlike the male which is black and orange.
Sep 01, 2012
 Just saw similar in my backyard
by: B4Sunup

I just saw a similar bird in my backyard. I've never seen it before and it was so cute that I had to look it up. I assume it might be just migrating through here in the Michigan Thumb area.

Based on my research online the one I saw appears to be a female or immature American Redstart. Note it looked nothing like the male which is black and orange. You might want to see if it fits your bird.
Jul 03, 2012
 Bird
by: Anonymous

It is a cedar waxwing
Jun 16, 2012
 Common yellowthroat?
by: Anonymous

I think it could be a common yellowthroat.

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