On the MOU website: a Hoary photo Here from Minnesota (where Hoary is expected and the threshold is low) of a pale Hoary-type with a relatively long bill Some other recent Hoary photos from Michigan – scroll left and right to see about 5 shots From Ontario this photo and the two following show a […]
A couple of Redpoll additions Read More »
More thoughts on redpolls after yesterday’s post, prompted by my own nagging doubts and a query from Nick Anich: In all of this redpoll ID discussion, I think people ask the general question “How can I identify a Hoary?” when what they mean is the more specific question “Just how pale/small-billed/unstreaked does a redpoll have
The Redpoll Questions Read More »
[Edited 2 Jan to add a hint of uncertainty to the identifications] Over the holidays I was able to spend a few days at my parents’ house in upstate New York, and enjoyed the redpolls that were visiting the bird feeder. I saw one clear-cut Hoary and at least two other Hoary-type Redpolls, and at
My Holiday (Redpoll) Photos Read More »
After my previous posts on redpolls here and here, I’ve had a chance to skim some of the redpoll literature, and it confirms that these are two very similar species (gasp! really?). Two papers in particular by Seutin et al (1992, 1993) offer some interesting observations. They conclude that it is possible to classify specimens
Our perspective and the assumptions and decisions that are triggered by that point-of-view, strongly influence how we perceive the world around us. In short, what we see often depends on how we look at it. This classic drawing looks like a frog sitting on the edge of a pond… but rotate it ninety degrees and
Perspective on a mystery bird Read More »
If identifying Hoary Redpoll is not enough of a challenge for you, maybe you’d like to look for subspecies of Hoary and Common Redpolls? First, check out this map from the Canadian Atlas of Bird Banding. This shows selected western band recoveries of Common Redpolls, and the obvious suggestion is that some of the Common
Redpoll subspecies Read More »
Some updates 4 and 6 December –check out Jochen’s comments and blog post here With the predicted superflight of finches beginning to develop (1st ever Common Redpoll in New Mexico last week) more and more questions are coming up about finch identification. RedpollsHoary Redpoll, although always less numerous than Common south of the Arctic, is
Redpoll Identification Read More »
Great White Heron Ardea herodias occidentalis updated 13 Nov 2007, thanks to all those who have commented publicly and privately. I’ve backed off a bit from my criticism of the TBRC decision, the more I learn the less clear-cut this seems, although I still think it’s at least a good subspecies. Shaibal Mitra sent me
“Great White” Heron – not just a color morph Read More »
Green-breasted Mango Anthracothorax prevostii This species is not included in the Sibley Guide to Birds because at the time that I was planning the book there were only two records north of Mexico. By the time I had finished the book there were 7 records (enough to warrant inclusion, if only I had known sooner!).
Green-breasted Mangos in North America Read More »
Another note from the comments under Sandwich Tern by Joseph Kennedy on 4 September, this deserves a separate discussion (Thanks, Joseph). He writes: I have received a note Stu Wilson concerning the black tern pictures posted from the same date. I guess that I should check feet on the rest of my tern pictures. According
Black Tern and White-winged Tern – leg color Read More »