Date: 2/5/25 2:47 pm From: Aidan Kiley via CTBirds <ctbirds...> Subject: [CT Birds] Re: Question About Subspecies
Hi Arthur:
You’re welcome!
It comes down to personal preference/comfort. There’s no “required” use,
really.
I enter every flicker as Yellow-shafted, as it can be assumed by range. I
check the wing color as often as I can when I see them. Same for most of
the other subspecies options. Other birders here do the same.
But other folks will only enter what they can 100% identify in the
individual observation, as you mention. That’s a perfectly logical option.
Both of these practices are acceptable per eBird.
However, be mindful of the handful of species that have multiple subspecies
options here, such as Willet, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk, and
Peregrine Falcon. Those I would not assume a subspecies by range for.
If someone chooses to enter the expected subspecies options by
default/range (allowed by eBird), as I mention in my initial email, it is
highly encouraged that people familiarize themselves with the forms – get
an idea of that they mean. You don’t need to become an expert on them, but
at least do a little learning!
There’s no absolute answer to this topic. Just providing some general
information I hope folks might find helpful :)
Aidan Kiley
Fairfield
CT eBird Reviewer
On Wed, Feb 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM Arthur Shippee via CTBirds <
<ctbirds...> wrote:
> Thanks, Aiden, for a very helpful discussion of an interesting topic.
>
> Overall, then, my understanding is that we should use the subspecies
> designation when we can identify field mark for it, and not simply on its
> being the expected form in the area.
>
> For example, the yellow shafting on our flicker is usually visible. We can
> use the subspecies when we see that yellow. But if we don’t see it, it’s
> best to use simply the species.
>
> Correct? Thanks!
>
> A. Shippee, Hamden, CT
> Sent from my iPad
>
> > On Feb 5, 2025, at 11:09 AM, Aidan Kiley via CTBirds <
> <ctbirds...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Lance,
> >
> > This is an interesting topic.
> >
> > eBird has put much time and effort into developing eBird subspecies
> options
> > and guidelines for proper use.
> >
> > A handful of general notes:
> >
> > 1- These subspecies options are totally optional - there is nothing wrong
> > with using the plain species entries.
> > 2- The subspecies shown on the filter (such as the ones you mention) that
> > do not get flagged are generally the only expected ones in the region.
> > 3- Downy Woodpecker (Eastern), Purple Finch (Eastern), Dark-eyed Junco
> > (Slate-colored), etc. are perfectly acceptable ways to enter individuals
> of
> > those species in the state. eBird Central has made that abundantly clear.
> > 4- Those eBird subspecies options are called ISSFs (identifiable
> > subspecific forms). Not all subspecies are listed as options in eBird,
> only
> > types that are readily identifiable by visual and/or audio.
> > 5- However, eBird discourages blind use of these subspecies forms if
> > observers have no idea what they mean. It is not best practice to enter
> > every bird to subspecies if you don't have at least some knowledge of
> what
> > they mean.
> >
> > This is where the fun comes in – this provides an opportunity to learn
> > about some really cool stuff! Like the variation in Downy and Hairy
> > Woodpeckers across North America. The (Eastern) forms of both Hairy and
> > Downy have notably more black spots in the outer tail feathers than
> Pacific
> > and Rocky Mountain. Dark-eyed Junco has other subspecies groups that have
> > shown up in the Northeast that are worth learning about and checking for.
> > Red-tailed Hawks are a great study because in recent years, we have been
> > learning about small numbers of Northern RT Hawk (abieticola) that winter
> > here in addition to the common (borealis). Our typical Brant here
> > are lightly marked below, Brant (Atlantic), unlike the western Brant
> > (Black) which is very dark and is known as a very rare but regular
> vagrant
> > in the east. Our Eastern White-breasted Nuthatches sound quite different
> > from the two western forms!
> >
> > The Sibley app you mention is useful for seeing pictures of what the
> > different subspecies options look like and figuring out what the ones
> here
> > are.
> >
> > 6- One of the people in charge of Macaulay Library (eBird Media) states
> > that it is useful to use these subspecies options when uploading media –
> > categorizing photos by subspecies group is a valuable thing for
> > researchers. If photos of Downy Woodpeckers in the east are entered under
> > (Eastern), it makes a search for pix of Eastern Downies much easier.
> >
> > 7 - eBird has made it clear that entering these to subspecies is not only
> > for "true experts" and entering subspecies forms that are the only
> expected
> > ones in the region is perfectly acceptable ways to enter birds, *but*
> > observers are strongly encouraged to learn about what the forms are, not
> > just enter them randomly. The majority of the subspecies options in CT
> > eBird are the only ones that occur, but exceptions are Red-tailed Hawk,
> > Peregrine Falcon, Solitary Sandpiper, Dark-eyed Junco, Willet, and
> > White-crowned Sparrow. Those species have rare other subspecies that
> have a
> > handful of records here.
> >
> > I have worked extensively on this topic, including discussions with
> > numerous other eBird Reviewers, as well as with the people in charge of
> > eBird. This is a topic that I am very passionate about, as some know :)
> To
> > anyone, do not hesitate to reach out to me directly with any further
> > questions on this, or subspecies ID in general! It's difficult stuff, and
> > certainly not all birds can be safely categorized (possible vagrant
> > subspecies especially), but I think it's a good topic for folks to dip
> > their feet into, if interested.
> >
> > Greg Hanisek and I serve as CT's eBird reviewers, and we would be more
> than
> > happy to answer any eBird questions!
> >
> > I hope this helps a little.
> >
> > Best,
> >
> > Aidan Kiley
> > CT eBird Reviewer
> >
> >> On Wed, Feb 5, 2025 at 10:34 AM lcjhnsn--- via CTBirds <
> >> <ctbirds...> wrote:
> >>
> >> I have recently started using eBird to submit and log my bird
> observations
> >> and I have a question. eBird has multiple options for several common
> local
> >> birds; Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch and
> >> Purple Finch have options with and without the “Eastern” subspecies tag.
> >> Dark-eyed Junco has options with and without the “Slate Colored”
> subspecies
> >> tag.
> >>
> >> Upon reviewing the Sibley v2 app, it appears that any of these birds
> that
> >> would be observed in Connecticut would be the Eastern and Slate Colored
> >> subspecies.
> >>
> >> Would that be an accurate conclusion and should I be selecting the
> >> subspecies when building my eBird checklists?
> >>
> >> Thank you,
> >> Lance Johnson
> >> Colchester, CT
> >>
> >>
> >>
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