5 replies to this topic

[photobirder]

Seen in Saint Anthony Id 08/18/2012

Can someone confirm these birds for me, I am also wondering if they are in their first year. I think the Yellow Warbler is.

1 Lazuli Bunting http://flic.kr/p/cU6Jss
2 Brewers Sparrow http://flic.kr/p/cU6K5w
3 Yellow Warbler http://flic.kr/p/cU6KEq

Thanks
Adam

[Liam]

Yes, I think you are correct on species. The Lazuli Bunting looks young, but the Brewer's Sparrow looks fine for adult and the Yellow Warbler looks like an adult female to me. Unless I'm mistaken, young Yellow Warblers are less colorful.

[psweet]

Actually, I think the warbler may be a young bird. All of the feather edgings on the secondary coverts look brand new, and I don't think an adult female would have completed her molt to that point yet. Also, according to Pyle, an adult Yellow Warbler should have an entirely dark lower mandible.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

Actually, I think the warbler may be a young bird. All of the feather edgings on the secondary coverts look brand new, and I don't think an adult female would have completed her molt to that point yet. Also, according to Pyle, an adult Yellow Warbler should have an entirely dark lower mandible.

I do think the Yellow is a juvenile, due to the apparent timing of the molt (an adult probably shouldn't be finished yet). However, Birds of North America states that "Bill of Definitive Alternate male black, tinged grayish along tomium and lower mandible; Definitive Alternate females and birds in Definitive Basic plumages have duller bill with some yellowish on mandible; bill more extensively pale, especially at base, in Basic I birds of both sexes; juveniles have pinkish-buff bill." I'd say this one is more of the pink-buff look, consistent with an immature in its first plumage.

[psweet]

That's interesting that BNA and Pyle have different info on the bill color.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

That's interesting that BNA and Pyle have different info on the bill color.

It seems to be one of the few articles that Pyle didn't co-author or edit! It does cite one of his papers for some of the info, but unfortunately no citation on the "bill and gape" section.