Date: 5/8/26 2:58 am From: Richard Littauer <richard.littauer...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Winged-warblers - observing, documenting, and submitting to eBird
On Fri, May 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM Richard Littauer <richard.littauer...>
wrote:
> Hello all spring birders!
>
> With the warblers returning, it's time for this little annual note on how
> to observe, document, and submit observations of the "winged-warblers":
> Blue-winged Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, and their hybrids.
>
> It takes work to observe critical features when viewing and photographing
> (submit several photos per bird if possible) these birds. Understanding how
> to recognize a hybrid is critical. It helps to recognize females, which are
> often elusive. Audio recordings are very welcome. They, however, are of
> little help in differentiating the two species, since the songs can come
> from either species or a hybrid!
>
> ---- This article tells how to report winged-warbler submissions to eBird:
> http://content.ebird.org/vt/news/golden-blue-winged-warbler > -potpourri-how-to-submit-to-ebird/
>
> Note: in the categories where both species are mentioned, the article
> lists Blue-winged first. Current practice lists Golden-winged first. For
> example "Golden-winged/Blue-winged Warbler.
>
> ---- This Vermont Audubon website tells about the research on this group
> in Vermont:
> https://vt.audubon.org/conservation/golden-winged-warbler-conservation >
> ---- The Audubon website refers you to this article:
> https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/static_pages/attachments/winged > -warblers._how_to_tell_a_pure_species_from_a_hybrid._7-10-19e.pdf
>
> In the PDF are three tables that are very useful in highlighting critical
> features when observing, documenting, and eBird-IDing.*You can use the
> table to determine if a bird is a hybrid or pure species.*
>
> There's one other thing worth mentioning, which proves difficult to some
> new eBirders every year. It's not explained well by the website, but in
> essence:
>
> - Golden-winged/Blue-winged Warbler means that your bird could be a
> Golden-winged or a Blue-winged or a hybrid;
> - Golden-winged x Blue-winged Warbler means that your bird could only be a
> hybrid, and is not pure.
>
> The difference between the x and the slash is important!
>
> Give a holler if you have any questions.
>
> Good birding to all!
>
> Best,
> Richard Littauer
> Addison County Reviewer
>
> --
> Richard Littauer | burntfen.com <http://www.burntfen.com> | socials:
> richard.social
>
