[Birdtalk] ID request

Wed Oct 1 11:49:12 MDT 2008

Mark, you and Brandon might be right, it might be a hybrid, but I doubt it
is a CSWA X Blackpoll.  I'm content to go with unidentified warbler.

I agree with you about the streaks on the side; those don't fit for CSWA.
But I still don't think it's a Blackpoll, the head (eyering, pale bill, no
eyestripe) is all wrong from what I see in both field guides, even from the
angle we are looking at.  if you can see that distinct white eyering, than
you should be able to see other details, such as an eyestripe (which is not
present).  Overall, the bird just does not fit the Blackpolls I have seen in
the field in upstate NY.

Who knows?  Does anyone else have any thoughts?  I  do not have time to go
look for the bird, if it is still there.  Has anyone else looked for the
bird?

Good birding, Craig.

Craig Fosdick
Logan, Utah.

On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 11:31 AM, Mark Stackhouse <westwings at sisna.com>wrote:

> It may be my monitor, but I don't see enough green on this bird to be a
> Chestnut-sided. And CSWA shouldn't have any streaking of the type and color
> seen on the flanks of this bird. I agree that the face looks much more like
> CSWA than Blackpoll, but I did see some images of Blackpoll on Vireo that
> weren't too far from this bird, especially when you consider the angle of
> the head in these photos, that makes the facial details harder to see
> clearly.
> However, this bird has enough anomalies that I strongly considered a hybrid
> (though I didn't mention it in my first post), and I'm inclined to agree
> with Brandon Percival that hybrid may be the best call for this bird. I'm
> always reluctant to play the "hybrid" card on tough id's, unless it's
> something that clearly shows contradictory characteristics. And if this is a
> hybrid, the next question is of what species? I can't find any records in
> the literature of CSWA x BLPW, but since they're in they same genus, it
> would seem possible.
>
> In any event, there's no doubt that this bird does not have a clear,
> straightforward i.d.
>
> Mark Stackhouse
>
> On Sep 30, 2008, at 12:57 PM, Craig Fosdick wrote:
>
> All-
>
> Hmmm....I don't think it is a Blackpoll; I just saw about 10 in upstate NY
> 10-14 days ago (along with CSWA and others), and the white eye ring is way
> too pronounced on this bird to be a Blackpoll.  Also, Blackpolls have dark
> eyestripes with thin eyerings; this bird has no eyestripe.  Can't say
> anything conlcusive about the streaking; some fall male CSWA should have
> solid chestnut streaks; perhaps this is a first-year male?  (my Peterson
> warbler guide is not at hand).  Also, Blackpolls should have black bills,
> not pale bills; this bird has a pale bill.  And whitish undertail coverts
> are consisent with CSWA.  Blackpolls also are much drabber, even on the
> face, and should not be bright lime-green on face and back.  Legs appear to
> be mostly concealed by foliage, I'm struggling with the color on this.  Fall
> male CSWA do have streaks on the back, which this bird has.
>
> I vote CSWA, for whatever it's worth.  Perhaps someone can relocate the
> bird and get better/more looks/photos?
>
> Craig Fosdick
> Logan, Utah.
>
> On Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 12:21 PM, Mark Stackhouse <westwings at sisna.com>wrote:
>
>> This is a pretty "confusing" fall warbler.
>>
>> The plain face and complete eye-ring suggest Chestnut-sided, but it
>> doesn't look green enough on the back, or (perhaps more importantly since
>> the back isn't as clearly seen or well lit in these photos) the underparts
>> clear and unstreaked enough. Chestnut-sided should not have the streaking on
>> the flanks that this bird has.
>>
>> Bay-breasted is another possibility, but it should be a bit warmer on the
>> flanks, and again the sides should be less streaked. Also, the under-tail
>> coverts should be more buffy; these appear to me to be whitish.
>>
>> I'm leaning towards Blackpoll Warbler. Blackpoll has streaking on the
>> flanks like this bird shows. The under-tail coverts appear whitish. Also,
>> the legs and feet appear pale or yellowish to me in the second photo, good
>> for Blackpoll, but the others should have black legs. The face seems plain
>> for Blackpoll, but I think it's within the range of variation for this
>> species.
>>
>> Nice photos (warbler photos are never easy) of a great find.
>>
>> Mark Stackhouse
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sep 30, 2008, at 6:51 AM, Milt Moody wrote:
>>
>>  Carol Gwynn sent in these pictures of a bird at Red Butte Gardens in SLC
>>> and would like some opinions on its ID.  ~ MGM
>>>
>>> http://www.utahbirds.org/hotlinephotos/2008/MysteryBirdCG.htm
>>>
>>>
>>>
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