Interesting and helpful, Zac. Thanks!
Maeve Kim, Jericho Center

> On Jan 12, 2019, at 8:09 PM, Zacheriah Cota-Weaver <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> Ruth,
> 
> I'm glad you asked this question as I've heard it from a few others as
> well. This may be a good time to start a discussion on subspecies
> reporting.
> 
> eBird is a powerful tool for collecting data and turning those data into
> meaningful inferences about bird populations. The insights gained from
> eBird are only as good as the data that go in. While people most commonly
> report bird species to eBird, you can report individuals of just about
> every taxonomic level. My guidance to birders is to make reports based on
> your level of experience and the quality of the observation.
> 
> I'll provide an example. If you observe a large soaring bird in the
> distance but don't get many field marks on it, perhaps eBirding it as
> "diurnal raptor sp." is the best bet. If you can tell based on shape,
> flight, and personal experience that it was a buteo genus hawk, eBird it as
> "buteo sp.". If you get a good look at a rusty tail and dark patagial
> marks, you might confidently eBird it as a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo
> jamaicensis). Now, if you've studied your Red-tailed Hawk subspecies and
> get a good look at an overwintering one with a dark, nearly black appearing
> chin, heavy belly band with large and globular streaks, you might be
> justified in eBirding it as a Northern Red-tailed Hawk (abieticola) (Buteo
> jamaicensis abieticola). Here is an article  if you are interested in
> Red-tailed Hawk subspecies:
> 
> https://ebird.org/vt/news/red-tailed-hawks-recognizing-subspecies-in-vermont
> 
> Sometimes birds are better left at higher levels, such as genus or family,
> when the quality of the observation is poor or when you just don't have
> experience/confidence with a certain group of birds.
> 
> eBird gives the option to report subspecies, and many regularly occurring
> subspecies are listed when you start a new checklist. I encourage people to
> follow the guidance above. If you have studied the subspecies and feel
> confidence with your observation, feel free to report it and document it
> appropriate. We should not assume, however, that we are always seeing the
> most commonly occurring subspecies. I often hear/see the phrase "default
> subspecies", which to me signals that people are not truly identifying the
> bird to a certain subspecies, but are making an assumption.
> 
> When a species or subspecies is flagged for review, as the White-breasted
> Nuthatch subspecies are, they show up on the alerts. I encourage folks who
> are interested in reporting subspecies to study them well and document them
> thoroughly in eBird. There are quite a few here in Vermont, including some
> that may someday be their own species (i.e. Eastern/Western Palm Warbler,
> Eastern/Western Willet).
> 
> I'd love to hear what other folks have to say about subspecies reporting as
> well.
> 
> Zac Cota
> eBird Reviewer
> 
> On Sat, Jan 12, 2019 at 6:28 PM Ruth Stewart <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
>> What's the story on the WBNU showing up on the rare-bird alert?
>> 
>> Ruth Stewart
>> E. Dorset, VT
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Zacheriah T. Cota-Weaver
> 175 Depot Street
> Hyde Park, VT 05655
> (802) 696-8613 cell
> [log in to unmask]