Blog – Page 18 – Sibley Guides

Intergradation between Mexican Duck and Mallard in Arizona

May 6, 2011 / David Sibley / 5 Comments

The Mexican Duck was formerly considered a species (Anas diazi), and is currently lumped with Mallard (as subspecies Anas platyrhynchos diazi), but recent DNA studies suggest that Mottled Duck (not Mallard) is its closest relative (McCracken et al. 2001). Whatever its genetic background, it is clear from field observations that Mexican Ducks and Mallards interbreed […]

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Two new events coming up this month

May 5, 2011 / David Sibley / Leave a Comment

11 May 2011, 6:00 to 8:30 PM – Lecture at Boston Public Library, Boston, MA Sponsored by the New England Forestry Foundation. I’ll be talking about the history of forests and bird populations in New England, and the critical need for young forest, shrubland, and grassland. With a book-signing after. Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Copley Square, Boston,

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Updated List of Identifiable Subspecies

April 13, 2011 / David Sibley / Leave a Comment

I’ve just updated the list of field identifiable subspecies incorporating several readers’ comments, adding notes on several species, and adding an asterisk to highlight the most distinctive subspecies (as determined by my own subjective and arbitrary review process). Thanks to all who have contributed. Please keep sending suggestions and comments.

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Three interesting Brant from Massachusetts

April 12, 2011 / David Sibley / 2 Comments

Note: I’m preparing posts on the range and identification of Brant subspecies, which will help make the following more understandable to those who are not already well-versed in the intricacies of Brant. Over the last fifteen or so years I have seen several odd “gray-bellied” Brant along the US Atlantic coast. This spring I finally

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Dark-fronted Cliff Swallows in Louisiana and Mississippi

April 11, 2011 / David Sibley / 16 Comments

It’s time to revisit the variation in Cliff Swallows along the Gulf Coast – with dark-fronted Cliff Swallows nesting in southern Mississippi and Louisiana. I’m continuing to update the Google map of Cliff Swallow forehead colors, thanks to all who have submitted info and especially Susan Epps, who surveyed many locations on the Gulf Coast

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The Proper Use of Playback in Birding

April 7, 2011 / David Sibley / 126 Comments

A Korean translation of this post is here With the recent surge in the availability of digital audio devices, the use of playback to attract birds into view has increased exponentially. This has fueled an ongoing debate among birders about the ethical issues surrounding the use of recorded bird songs in the field. There is

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Vocal copying by American Robin

April 5, 2011 / David Sibley / 11 Comments

On 5 April 2011 in Concord Massachusetts I was walking the edge of a field where I often go birding, and heard very distinctly the sputtering call of an Eastern Kingbird. It was about four weeks early for that species, and I assumed it was a European Starling mimicking from the trees above me, but

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Sibley Guide in action – Redpoll Identification

April 1, 2011 / David Sibley / 3 Comments

Not an April Fool’s joke, this is a real photo taken today by Scott Young in New Hampshire (Thanks, Scott). Clicking the photo links to his Flickr site where you can also see other photos of redpolls, including Hoarys.

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Carolina Wren mystery spots

March 30, 2011 / David Sibley / 111 Comments

Reader Richard Messer sent me the photos below, asking if I knew what the behavior was that displayed the white “rump spots” of the Carolina Wren. My answer is “no”. I’ve noticed spots like this a few times in the field, but never had a chance to really wonder about them. The BNA account for

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Identifying subspecies by behavior – Savannah Sparrow

March 28, 2011 / David Sibley / Leave a Comment

Identifying subspecies adds richness to your birding by adding another layer of understanding. What’s more, during spring migration, behavior can offer a quick and fairly reliable clue to use when distinguishing local breeders from migrants. This is simply an extension of a bit of advice often given for identifying shorebirds: to watch for birds around

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