2013 and beyond

It's pretty simple: the most birds seen or heard from one's yard during 2013 will be the "winner". Want in? O.k....then do it despite that.

2013 promises to be a lot less mean but still a carbon-free birding competition, even if slightly less exciting than a MEGA x EPIC hybrid.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Baypoll warbler

Had an interesting baypoll warbler come into the bath immediately after this Blackpoll Warbler got itself wet. Here is the Blackpoll:
Here is the mysetery bird. It immeidatley struck me as Bay-breasted, but after a while I began to second guess myself. Could it be the Blackpoll just wetted down? It seemed to lack streaks on the underparts, and have the blander, warmer face pattern of Bay-breasted, but perhaps to have whitish undertail coverts. So, what do you guys think? (Bay-breasted is a life yardbird still).

4 comments:

  1. Sean pointed out that the bird's bill base is paler than that of the Blackpoll above, making it a different individual for sure. So, the only hang up left is the apparently whitish undertail (should be buffy). But of course with immature female baypolls I am not sure anything is concrete. I just think that the head pattern being so bland/unmarked, and the greenish hints to the nape and neck sides heavily favor Bay-breasted. Any takers?

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  2. Come on boyz- let's hear your thoughts! Skye Haas and Andy Jones both think the yellow toes kill it, but I am sticking to my guns on face pattern.

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  3. Actually guys, just scored an easy Bay-breasted above the waterfeature, so this bird is a moot point now any way. But I still would like to know what you think?

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  4. I don't see how a bird with this face pattern and apparent lack of streaking on the breast can be a BLPW. I'm not sold on the feet entirely, but I'm favoring BBWA 90% Baypoll 10% Blackpoll 0%...

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