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Contest Number Four

Quite frankly, it's a mystery to me... There are a bunch of you readers out there who check this blog on a regular basis. We know that because of the traffic numbers for the site... Yet here we are, a flock of people that care about, and are knowledgeable about birds, and we're just not using the "Comments" button below to interact with each other and eBirdseed.com. (My hunch is that for the most part, you're going through the motions of feeding the birds, checking this blog, and then you're sitting down and eating pie.)

Ok then... Time for another competition, and this time the only way anyone wins is by having you folks start interacting. More about that in a second, but first, here's the prize:

It's a Songbird Cedar Bluebird Feeder!

Photo%20of%20Cedar%20Feeder_300.jpg


Now, about this contest and how it's going to get you to put down the "pie fork", and actually interact.

The contest is very simple... I'm thinking of the common name for a particular bird (e.g. not a "Sapsucker", but a "Yellow-bellied Sapsucker"). You guys have to guess the bird. In order to do this, you'll use the "Comments" button for this post to make your entries.


Here are the rules...
  1. Just ask (using the "Comments" button for this post) a "Yes/No" question concerning the mystery bird. Valid questions will take the form of, "Does the bird (fully matured) have a wingspan wider than 4 inches?"; and "Is the bird that CapeCodAlan thinking of a water bird?" Invalid questions will fall along the lines of, "What type of food does the mystery bird eat?" (Just think of the old "What's My Line?" game show!)
  2. You are welcome to enter as many comments as you want.
  3. At any time you can take a guess at the specific "unknown" bird, but I won't tell you if you're right or wrong. If you enter more than one guess, only your last guess will count when the contest ends.
  4. So when does the contest end? ("Bwa ha ha ha!" he laughs with an evil laugh...) The contest ends when we get at least 20 different people/commenters/email-account entries. So what does that mean? It means that "John Doe" can post 100 separate comments each asking a separate "Yes/No" question, but he only counts as ONE entrant. And for poor "John Doe" (who no doubt knows the exact bird after asking 100 questions), that presents a problem... He can either prod family, friends, and co-workers into entering comments/questions, or he can sit and wait. Better yet, he can actually communicate with other readers of this blog via comments (and email) and exchange ideas.
  5. After 20 different people have commented questions/guesses, we'll hold a random drawing to determine the final winner from among those who made the right, final guess.
Other common sense rules apply...
  • We'll try to keep and eye on the entrants, but we're also using the honor system here. (Read that that we wouldn't be very happy if an individual created 20 different "Hotmail" accounts just to win this feeder.)
  • Only rated “G” comments/entries are allowed.
  • Entries made by eBirdseed employees and/or their families are void.
  • All decisions made by the judges at eBirdseed.com are final.
  • The contest starts as soon as this post goes live. (That is, if you’re reading this, the contest has begun!)
  • As always, eBirdseed will pay for the shipping* of the winning prize to anywhere in the continental U.S.
And finally, there are a couple of hints...
  • The bird I'm thinking of is not extinct.
  • The mystery bird is quite common across a majority of the U.S.
  • I'm NOT thinking of the "Yellow-bellied Sapsucker".
  • The resources below can come in very handy!


So why am I asking that we all interact?

Here's why. I'm a moderator on a boat-building forum (Instant Boats Message Boards). One single thread on that board has had 20,631 "views" and 404 "replies". ("Replies" on the Message Board equate to "comments" here on the eBirdseed blog.)

On that forum, comments are the lifeblood... Ditto for this blog. And right now the lifeblood (eBirdseed.com comments) ain't flowing... Without the comments and interaction, we're all just sitting here eating pie all by ourselves. And I for one really don't like pie.

So come on guys... Let's start hitting that "Comments" button just like us boat builders do with the equivalent on the boat building board.

CapeCodAlan
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Posted by CapeCodAlan on July 6, 2007 9:19 PM |

Comments

Is the bird you are thinking of bigger than a hummingbird?

{CapeCodAlan replies: YES, the bird I'm thinking of is larger than a hummingbird.

CCA}

Posted by: Kathy | July 7, 2007 1:24 AM

Is this a nocturnal bird by nature?

{No

CCA}

Posted by: Gerry Ashley | July 7, 2007 3:19 AM

I'm game...

Is this mystery bird common at feeders?

Is it a Baltimore Oriole?

{Hi Largosmom,

Sorry... Only one question per comment... So I'll answer your first... YES, this bird does frequent feeders.

CCA}

Posted by: Largosmom | July 7, 2007 7:04 AM

Sounds fun! So I'll start it off.....I'm not real knowledgeable about birds, just enjoy feeding them so I may ask dumb questions...but....

Does this bird migrate to South America in the winter?

{Hi Teresa,

Yours is certainly not a dumb question... The answer is No, the bird does not migrate to South America in the winter,

CCA}

Posted by: Teresa | July 7, 2007 7:16 AM

ok...I'm in...is it too late?

Is this bird red?

{CCA replies: No, the bird is not primarily red.}

Posted by: Katnap | July 7, 2007 11:32 AM

DUH, I just got it. I am suppose to ask questions. Okay. What color is the bird? Is it a ground feeder?

{Hi Joni,

Let's see... In general, the format of this contest is that you get to ask only one "yes/no" question per comment. To answer your "yes/no" question... The mystery bird is NOT usually a ground feeder.

CCA
}

Posted by: Joni | July 7, 2007 3:00 PM

I'll jump in and be the first! Here's my question: CapeCodAlan... does this bird fly south for the winter?


{CCA replies: No, the bird does not fly south for the winter.}

Posted by: marcia | July 7, 2007 4:55 PM

Is the bird found throughout the continental U.S.?

{Hi Kathy,

Yes, the bird is quite common across the majority of the U.S.

CCA}

Posted by: Kathy | July 8, 2007 12:41 AM

Is the Bird a House Finch?

{Hi Largosmom,

No, the bird is not a House Finch.

CCA}

Posted by: Largosmom | July 8, 2007 9:29 AM

Is the bird smaller than a Blue Jay?

{CCA replies: No, it's roughly the same size.}

Posted by: Teresa | July 8, 2007 10:14 AM

Does it look like a minature of another bird?

{CapeCodAlan says: No}

Posted by: Teresa | July 8, 2007 10:17 AM

Is it considered a perching bird?

{CCA replies: Good question! There seems to be some discussion about this, but according to the Smithsonian Handbook, yes, it is a perching bird.}

Posted by: Teresa | July 8, 2007 10:18 AM

Does the bird have a color in its name?

{CapeCodAlan: No}

Posted by: Teresa | July 8, 2007 10:20 AM

Is the bird a solid color?

{CCA says: No}

Posted by: Teresa | July 8, 2007 10:21 AM

Hi CapeCod Alan! Does this bird like nesting boxes?

{CapeCodAlan's answer: we doubt it}

Posted by: Kimberley | July 8, 2007 12:30 PM

Does this bird have a red breast?

{CCA says: No}

Posted by: Joni | July 8, 2007 1:04 PM

Is this bird a Chickadee?

{CapeCodAlan replies: No}

Posted by: Joni | July 8, 2007 1:07 PM

Is the bird a Mourning Dove?

{CCA replies: No, this is not a Mourning Dove.}

Posted by: Largosmom | July 8, 2007 5:00 PM

Is this bird in the woodpecker family?

{CCA says EXCELLENT Teresa! YES, this bird IS a member of the woodpecker family!

But now... Which member of the woodpecker family???

And even more maddening, so far only 7 or 8 different individuals have commented... So all you folks out there have got to not only get the final answer, BUT you've also got to spur on other people to comment just like you did... Remember, we need at least 20 different commenters.}

Posted by: Teresa | July 8, 2007 6:45 PM

Teresa, I was going to ask that question next!

Is it a red-bellied woodpecker?

{CCA says no.}

Posted by: Largosmom | July 8, 2007 9:20 PM

So if I guess, and you say yes everyone will know and it will be over with -- so if I guess right will you block it out? (note, I formed it in a yes/no context)

{CCA: LOL... If you guess correctly, I will confirm, then block out the answer. Though at this point, the fact that you've narrowed it down to a member of the woodpecker family certainly will make short matter of the work... IF others participate...}

Posted by: Teresa | July 8, 2007 9:23 PM

My guess is a "correct answer removed"

{CCA says YES!!!!!! You are absolutely correct!!!!!! Superb work!

Now the question becomes... Do you tell all your friends what the correct answer is, or do you just keep it a secret to narrow down the competition? We still have to meet that 20 participant/commenter minimum...}

Posted by: Teresa | July 8, 2007 9:25 PM

Well, I can confirm that she is NOT talking...yet.

Is it a Northern Flicker?

{LOL again... CCA says that it is not a Northern Flicker...

}

Posted by: Largosmom | July 8, 2007 11:08 PM

Not a ground feeder...not primarily red...does not fly south...type of woodpecker...common type...

My guess: Correct answer

{CCA replies... YES!}

Posted by: Jen | July 9, 2007 10:32 AM

Is the bird a Downy Woodpecker?

{CCA replies... No this isn't a Downy Woodpecker.}

Posted by: Anna | July 9, 2007 12:27 PM

Is the mystery bird a Downy Woodpecker?

{CCA replies... It isn't a Downy Woodpecker.}

Posted by: Joni | July 9, 2007 1:12 PM

Does this mystery bird eat insect fauna of weed stems and small branches?

{CCA replies... It might... But if you're looking at the Cornell site (the Downy Woodpecker) that would be incorrect... However... We do know it's some sort of a woodpecker}

Posted by: Joni | July 9, 2007 1:18 PM

Is it a greater spotted woodpecker (poor guess I know but it was the taking part that counts.)

{CCA replies... Not poor at all, but not correct...}

Posted by: Kylie Wilkins | July 9, 2007 1:47 PM

Is it a green woodpecker?

{CCA says... Sorry no... But keep trying!}

Posted by: Claire | July 9, 2007 2:12 PM

is it sphyrapicus varius????????

Hi,

{Nope... It ain't that Yellow-bellied Sapsucker...

CCA}

Posted by: cariad | July 9, 2007 3:01 PM

Is the mystery bird a Imperial Woodpecker?

{Hi Joni... No, the bird is not an Imperial Woodpecker... CCA}

Posted by: Joni | July 9, 2007 8:23 PM

Is the mystery bird a the Ivory-billed Woodpecker?

{CapeCodAlan says No...}

Posted by: Joni | July 9, 2007 8:24 PM

Is the mystery bird a the Lewis' Woodpecker?

{CCA says... No it is not the Lewis Woodpecker.}

Posted by: Joni | July 9, 2007 8:26 PM

OK, now I'm really wondering.

It is a CORRECT ANSWER!

{CCA... Well done!}


Posted by: Largosmom | July 9, 2007 10:31 PM

Is it a red bellied woodpecker

{CCA says close... But no.}

Posted by: Jackie | July 10, 2007 1:36 AM

I am getting in late on this one. Is it a CORRECT ANSWER?

{Way to go Nancy!

CCA}


Posted by: nancy | July 10, 2007 1:38 AM

Is it the red headed woodpecker?

{CCA replies that no it isn't a red headed woodpecker.}

Posted by: Liz Hipkiss | July 10, 2007 12:56 PM

is it a ladderback woodpecker

{CapeCodAlan says sorry Abigail, no.}

Posted by: abigail | July 10, 2007 2:26 PM

Is the mystery bird a Golden-Winged Woodpecker?

{CCA: Hi Joni... Sorry no... But let me look at your next comment!}

Posted by: Joni | July 10, 2007 3:23 PM

Is the bird a CORRECT ANSWER?

{YES Joni you too have guessed the correct bird!

CCA}

Posted by: Joni | July 10, 2007 3:31 PM

Ok, we are 3 people away from 20.....come on, tell your friends to get on here and guess!!'

So here's my yes/no question... was it ok to post this?

{CCA replies... LOL... Hi Teresa,

* First off, thanks for trying to help spread the word.

* Secondly, yes, your post was ok. In fact, as long as a post is rated "G", not mean-spirited, and remotely on topic, I'll take it... There are umpteen reasons for this which I'll outline in my next post.}

Posted by: Teresa | July 10, 2007 4:42 PM

Wowzer, I guessed it!

However, I guessed so many, I don't know which one I guessed that was right. Is there a penalty for this?

{Hi Joni,

No, there is no penalty for forgetting your answer.

In fact, the exact text of each answer (including yours) is kept on the eBirdseed server, on its backup, on my computer, and on my computer's backup.

CCA}

Posted by: Joni | July 10, 2007 7:58 PM

DUH oh my, I went back to my list I made of birds guessed and think I have figured out which is missing.

{CCA replies... "Cool!"}

Posted by: Joni | July 10, 2007 8:00 PM

Is it a CORRECT ANSWER?

{CCA says "Yes! Well done"}

Posted by: Sue-Ellen | July 10, 2007 8:04 PM

Ok, count me in...Is it a CORRECT ANSWER?

{Hi Jerry... Yes!... CCA}

Posted by: Jerry | July 10, 2007 9:02 PM

Alright! Now we need one more person .... so if you're that person reading this blog and have no idea what kind of woodpecker it is.....here's a hint...because the next new person who replies closes this contest, right Alan? (yes/no question here)

{CCA replies yes (between fits of laughter)... One more person closes the contest}

The hint is... {CCA says... Hint goes bye bye.}

You did say we could share answers, right Alan?
(another y/n question)

{CCA explains... I stated that a contestant could "exchange ideas" using this blog. Another contest rule states: "All decisions made by the judges at eBirdseed.com are final."

Sooo... I removed your hint... It's one thing to share ideas in the process of solving this mystery. But it's another thing to give away the answer on this blog... And that's NOT to say that people can't engage in private emails, private phone calls, private smoke signals, etc... I'm just trying to be respectful of the work the other 6 correct respondents have put into this.

Anyway, hang in there Teresa... We're almost done.

When all is said and done Teresa, I'll explain the method to my madness. Until then, you're just going to have to trust me.}

Posted by: Teresa | July 11, 2007 8:09 AM

I mailed some request for my friends to join in th fun. I think it is great, 18 people responded in four days.

{CCA replies: "Excellent! Glad you're having fun!"}

Posted by: Joni | July 11, 2007 11:37 AM

Is the bird in question a Gila?

{CCA Replies no.

And with that the contest is now closed! Congrats to Joni!!!

Watch for the next post for the full disclosure of the bird I was thinking of, and the method behind the madness of this contest.}
{Thanks to all for participating!!!}

Posted by: Ray | July 11, 2007 3:18 PM

Is it a hairy woodpecker?

{Yes! But sorry, the contest closed.

CapeCodAlan}

Posted by: Van Reynolds | July 11, 2007 3:52 PM

Is it the Hairy Woodpecker?

{Yes! But sorry, the contest closed.

CapeCodAlan}

Posted by: Kimberley | July 11, 2007 3:55 PM

Hi everyone,

The new bluebird feeder came yesterday. It is gorgeous and hanging beside the fruit feeder. I have not seen any birds there yet. We have one side of Plexiglas removed.

Thanks again for allowing me to be part of this great Blog CCA.

Posted by: Joni | July 20, 2007 8:06 AM

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