[Birdtalk] ID request

[Mark Stackhouse]

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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