They look different when not in a conibear trap. Actually, I trapped and ate one of those things in my pond a couple years ago. Yes, I ate beaver. Delicious.
I have five Bluebird nests on the fencerow behind my house/shop. It's been a tough Spring for them.
This particular couple have guarded this nest box since last Fall. I saw them there periodically all Winter. This Spring English Sparrows tried to take it over. I had to assist with that battle. Then B-Martins tried it. The Bluebird's tenacity won. They've got eggs now. I still keep an eye on them and will help if needed. B-Martins are bad news. Really bad news.
For the past couple years I've had a momma Phoebe build her nest on a beam in the breezeway between my house and garage - just over the entry door to the garage. A couple days ago I heard momma bird raising all kinds of racket out there so I stepped out to see what was going on. Here's what I saw up in the nest. No wonder she was upset - a week ago I'd stuck a mirror up there and saw 6 eggs.
Just a harmless gopher snake...but for the life of me I cannot figure out how he got up there. He was still in the nest the next morning; I was hoping to see how he managed to get back down but a few hours later he was gone and I have no idea how he found access. Location of the nest is circled in red.