Date: 2/20/25 6:56 pm
From: Hugh Ranson via groups.io <zonetail1...>
Subject: [sbcobirding] More on Chat
Hi, all,

There was another response to my post on Advanced Bird ID on Facebook, this
one from Johanna Beam

Hi all,
I work extensively on these birds (unpublished, as of yet), and confidently
say this is a typical auricollis (western) bird. The malar does look a bit
compressed, and while this is sometimes a solid ID trait, with cryptic
subspecies such as these, it is best to rely on multiple traits for a
definitive ID.
The back is quite gray, with no green and no green extending up on to the
head as with a virens. The bill is also narrow in depth, another feature of
auricollis. This bird appears to be young with that light color in the bill
as well. All in all, I see this as a western auricollis bird.

David Sibley responded, "Thanks for this, I happily defer to your
expertise, and I'm very interested to know about the difference in bill
shape - something new to look for!"

So, more to ponder and more learning to do!

Hugh Ranson
SB


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