[obol] "long" bill on FRR icterid

[Dan Heyerly]

Obol and Tim,

I assume we are talking about the same bird with the buffy head, dark
lores/mask, located in the same general area of the Redhead pond. Last
evening it was associating with a small group of Brewer’s Blackbirds in the
east central area of the pond when I saw it, and because of the brief look I
had before it flew, I never really got a good look at the extent of the dark
colors on its body and wings. I did note the bill shape, but it was kind of
at an angle, and to me it looked kind of fat like a cowbird’s bill can look,
but sharper and not right for the fattiche looking cowbird bill. I remarked
about that, and also made a comment how the young birds of the year can look
sort of splotchy and one of the birders with me (Carl Cole) mentioned that
the bird was speaking Brewer’s, implying it just came out of the Brewer’s
nest. It could have I suppose, but I don’t think the voice sounded at all
like a Brewer’s. I may have been filtering out the Brewer’s calls coming
from the small group it was with. In addition I do not think it sounded like
a cowbird or a Yellow-headed Blackbird either. It was a series of calls I do
not recognize, but it could have been the beginnings of a Yellow-head slow
learner. Maybe the Wednesday morning group or other birders can track it
down?

 

The bird caught my eye immediately because of the striking head. If you can
imagine looking at JUST the head of a Lazuli Bunting without the bill, and
then change the head color to that of the nape color of a Bobolink (Back of
the head? You know, that beige color thing they have going on!), but leave
the dark lores of the bunting and the bill shape of this bird intact, you
will have that very soft/warm fuzzy looking THING. I think it is a
not-yet-fully-filled-out Yellow-headed Blackbird, but I would like to get
some extended views without lightning and rain threatening. Perhaps even a
photo.

 

I hope some others can get a look at it.

 

Dan Heyerly

Eugene

 

 


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