[obol] Split the Kinglets?

[Dennis P. Vroman]

Didn't really think a split and renaming would take place, kind of a thinly-veiled birder's joke.

However, HBW Vol 11 did list 3 Ruby-crowned subspecies:

Regulus calendula grinnelli (what we would likely see)
R.c. calendula (central and eastern US)
R.c. obscurus (Guadalupe Is., off Baja CA)

The species account doesn't discuss foot color, however, there's some interesting text under the Family Regulidae (Kinglets and Firecrests) about minute differences in foot morphology and how the well-developed toe pads with deeply incised furrows (noticed this as a bander), enabling them to move within small-sized parts of tree foliage.

Dennis


  Dennis,

   

  We can't go that far, although I recognize your message is tongue-in-cheek.  Of course there is genetic difference, but even if there is foot color difference between eastern and western r-c kinglets, which I don't think has been established, it would be variation statistically showing favor toward either dark or yellow, probably by region (or population).   It's my impression that this variation carries across the country; that it's not so discreet.  There might be more yellow-footed in the west, but this is my speculation - I have no real data.  

   

  Larry
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