9 replies to this topic

[soundart]

Just saw this bird outside my window and managed to test out my new (yesterday) Nikon Coolpix P510 at 42X zoom. If it's a Carolina Wren it's just on the very edge of it's range, and a lifer in my 2 month old birding career .

http://www.flickr.co...art/7507914508/


Edit:
Located in Southern Ontario, Canada
Photo added later in post: http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

[triciav83]

I'm leaning more towards Bewick's on this one because of the lighter breast/belly and lack of rusty tint to the back. The Carolinas we have in San Antonio look more reddish.

I defer to Wren experts though

EDIT: where are you located?

[soundart]

Sorry, I meant to mention my location in Southern Ontario, Canada. I thought it looked a bit like a Beswick as well, but the closest area in the range maps I looked at were 2 states away. The range maps for the Carolina Wren show the edge of their range going right through my backyard practically.

[triciav83]

Yeah, based on range then, it's probably not a Bewick's. That would leave Carolina as the other option, right? I know that birds of the same species can definitely look variable dependent on range, and San Antonio is definitely far enough away from Ontario...almost like a whole other country

[TheBillyPilgrim]

I'd go Carolina here. The back coloring looks plenty red for a Carolina (Bewick's would be duller). I can't see much rust below, but we also can't see the majority of the breast. A Bewick's would be a pretty impressive find for your area, too. Another shot showing more of the breast and/or tail might help clinch the ID, if you've got it.

[soundart]

Here's another shot which is the closest I have to showing it's underside and tail.

http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

[triciav83]

I agree that a Bewick's would probably be duller, but man, the Carolinas here are just so obvious. That's lucky for me, since we get both!

I checked the eBird range map and there are no sightings of Bewick's in Ontario but plenty of Carolinas in the areas around Toronto and Ottawa.

[psweet]

That second shot comes up private. Based on the first shot, I'd agree with Carolina. In addition to BillyPilgrim's point, on a Bewick's I would expect to see a gray tip to the outer tail feather -- you can just see the tip, and there doesn't appear to be anything there.

[soundart]

Sorry, new to Flickr. The second shot should work now (I hope). Thanks everyone for your input!!

[TheBillyPilgrim]

Yup, definitely Carolina from the second pic. You can see some of the rufous flank and the tail pattern/length is consistent.