[obol] Bayocean Mystery Warbler

[DAVID IRONS]

Greg et al.,

This bird is a Yellow Warbler, likely an adult female.  There are a couple elements that point to Yellow.  

1.  The very conspicuous and uniformly broad eye-ring, which is creamy yellow.  This distinctive eyering is more white on an immature.  The face is very plain and the large eye really stands out.

2.  The inner margins of the tertials are edged with white or near white.  This can be seen fairly well on the first photo.

3.  Finally, it is not easy to see on either of these images, but the undertail coverts appear quite long on this bird, which tends to make the tail look short from below.  Undertail covert length is an underrated field mark on dull Yellow Warblers.  I find it quite useful when sorting out dull greenish and yellowish warblers from below in the Fall.  

Dave Irons
Eugene, OR

> From: greg at thebirdguide.com
> To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu
> Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 12:22:36 -0800
> Subject: [obol] Bayocean Mystery Warbler
> 
> Pat French sent me two photos she quickly snapped yesterday, 31 December 
> 2007, at Bayocean Peninsula, Tillamook Co.
> 
> I am reluctantly identifying it as a Wilson's Warbler.
> 
> Pat doesn't have any observations other than the photos, as it appeared 
> while she was observing some other birds, then it quickly flew off.
> 
> Matching Wilson's it is green above, slightly paler below, no wingbars or 
> breast streaking. The tail seems short. The eyering seems too prominent, 
> though. It suggests Connecticut on the face, but doesn't look grayish.
> 
> Take a look and see if something else comes to mind. I even got out my 
> European guide to see if some kind of Old World flycatcher or warbler would 
> fit.
> 
> http://thebirdguide.com/temp_images/IMG_9501_warbler.jpg
> 
> http://thebirdguide.com/temp_images/IMG_9502_warbler.jpg
> 
> Greg Gillson
> The Bird Guide, Inc.
> greg at thebirdguide.com
> http://thebirdguide.com
> 
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