31 replies to this topic

[Jenny81]

I was watching an Indigo Bunting when I noticed this bird hopping around in a tree. I think I know what it is, but I am hoping it isn't just wishful thinking. If I am correct it is a lifer.

[Jenny81]

Also, Orchard Oriole right? I haven't seen one in a while.

[Liam]

Blackburnian Warbler female, but not sure on the Oriole (colorblind. :\).

[Vin the Grine]

Blackpoll Warbler & could second bird actually be a female Scarlet Tanager with weak wing bars? The beak looks awfully thick for any oriole.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

Agree with female Blackburnian Warbler and female Orchard Oriole.

[Jenny81]

Well, the warbler wasn't what I thought it was, but it is still a FOTY. I was surprised I didn't see a Blackburnian warbler during migration.

[psweet]

I agree with Vin -- that second bird is a tanager. I'm not so sure it's a Scarlet, though -- that wingbar is awfully distinct, and the one source I can find that shows wingbars in Scarlets shows them on the greater coverts, not the medians. Any chance you got more photos?

I would consider posting this photo on a PA site if one exists.

[Jenny81]

Yeah I have a couple of angles, which side would help the most? This bird was throwing me a little. Another angle.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

After looking more closely at the bill on the second bird its not an Oriole. I'd be tempted to call the second bird a female Western Tanager. I know its out of range, but like psweet said, Scarlet shouldn't show wingbars.

EDIT: I guess Summer Tanager is another option, but the bill just doesn't look big enough for that.

[meghann]

Looks good for a summer tanager to me. It looks just like the one I got a picture of a few weeks back.



female by midgetinvasion, on Flickr

[Parula]

i like western tanager there have been lots of western tanagers wintering in new england. the reason i dont think it is a summer tanager is because it has a wingbar

[psweet]

BillyPilgrim's conjecture is why I was hoping for more angles. At this point, I'm thinking it's probably an unusual Scarlet, for two reasons. The bill appears to be gray instead of flesh-colored, and what I can see of the back appears to be olive instead of gray.

I would still suggest posting these shots on whatever forum PA might have. If nothing else, someone might relocate the bird and get some definitive photos.

Meghann, take a look at the bill on your photo -- Summer and Hepatic Tanagers have big bills, Scarlet and Western have much smaller ones.

[Liam]

I took the liberty of posting this on the Facebook Bird ID group (I hope you don't mind, Jenny), and this was the response:

Scarlet Tanager - dark wings rules out Summer and the 'wing bars' that make it look like a Western are sometimes shown on female Scarlets.

[meghann]

Hmm, I know for sure mine was a Summer, she had the male with her. Unless they are known to interbreed. . .

[psweet]

Yours was, meghann. I was pointing out the difference between your bird and the one in the OP.

[meghann]

Okay, so by "smaller" bills, do you mean scarlets have shorter ones? Because the bird in Jenny's shot seems to have a shorter, but chunkier bill than mine, now that I'm really looking at it.

[Vin the Grine]

Do you have any more photos of the warbler? I'm still thinking Blackpoll.

[psweet]

Yes, Meghann, 'smaller' in this case means short and chunky.

[meghann]

Yes, Meghann, 'smaller' in this case means short and chunky.

Thanks for the clarification! I'll have to file that bit away in the memory banks.

[Jenny81]

I have more pictures of the warbler here. Here you can see the undertail pattern if it helps.So I guess I will just say that the tanager is a Scarlet Tanager? I have seen them a lot in this area, but never with wingbars like that.