9 replies to this topic

[Joejr14]

South Windsor again this am...

Flycatcher....certainly not a Phoebe...finally. EWP would be late...



Vireo? I can't find a match in Sibley's, but since I pretty much suck with all things warbler/vireo, I'm sure I'm missing something.

[BarnSwallow]

I think you're correct with EWP, but not sure. The second looks like a blue-headed vireo.

[psweet]

I agree with BarnSwallow.

[Joejr14]

My only issue with Blue-headed, is well, the head seems super light, and the undertail coverts look yellow in the picture. Sibleys shows them as white.

[psweet]

I think the vireo photo is overexposed, which would cause the light head, and the undertail coverts look like a case of a shadow right next to the yellow flanks. Nothing else on the east coast is going to have complete white spectacles on a gray head. And this guy's too contrasting to be Cassin's, Plumbeous, or even Gray, just to cover the (remotely) possible vagrants.

[Liam]

Blue-headed are variable in color. This one may be a 1st fall individual - they are lighter on the head, but still retain the color on the flanks (which sometimes bleed into the vent, forming a "belt"). I don't think the vent is yellow - appearance may be due to lighting or photographic elements.

The Blue-headed is the only one of the "Solitary" Vireos you are likely to find in CT.

Despite the apparent single wingbar (Blue-headed usually have two, looks like the scaps are covering the upper one), the complete eyering eliminates Bell's.

However, I commend you for questioning the ID - that's how rarities are found.

[psweet]

I've gotta second Liam regarding questioning the ID -- no matter what we or anyone else may say, it's a good idea to keep at it until you're satisfied.

[Joejr14]

Were good with EWP for the flycatcher? It'd be a lifer.

[psweet]

That's certainly what I'd call it -- no obvious eyering and a long primary projection.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

Definitely an EWP, with that long primary projection.