eBird has the option of entering "Philadelphia/Warbling Vireo"
Ian
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On 5/31/2019 9:20 AM, Fred and Chris Pratt wrote:
> I have little (perhaps no) doubt that this species has been
> over-reported in Vermont, especially in spring. I have birded in this
> state for nearly fifty years and have seen (to my satisfaction)
> Philadelphia Vireo perhaps five or six times during spring migration.
> Quite frankly, I would NEVER identify this species on the basis of
> song alone - I know of at least three experienced birders besides
> myself who have admitted to being positive a singing bird was a
> Philadelphia Vireo only to find a Red-eye when the bird showed itself.
> Ken is absolutely correct when he emphasizes using multiple criteria
> when identifying this species. In fact, that is an important guideline
> for identifying any difficult and/or rare species.
>
> As to the bird Ken describes in his posting, I would say bravo for a
> very careful observation and description - but I would also say this:
> I would not conclude that the bird you saw was a Philadelphia Vireo.
> It may well have been a Phialdelphia but, as you say yourself, it
> "looked very much like a Warbling Vireo." Further, you state
> explicitly that you "could not discern any yellow" on the breast - but
> that is the one field mark I would insist on for safely identifying
> this species. To me this is a case where I would have to leave the
> bird unidentified; that is, it was either a Warbling Vireo singing a
> strange song or an unusually drab Philadelphia Vireo without showing
> its trademark yellow on throat or breast. If I had to guess, I would
> probably agree this bird was a Philadelphia (some of the drawings in
> Sibley look like your bird even though his text emphasizes a yellow
> throat) but to me this is a case where I think the observer should
> admit to uncertainty.
>
> Fred Pratt
>
> On 5/30/2019 10:45 PM, Ken Copenhaver wrote:
>> Hi Bridget,
>>
>> I'm no expert on this species, but here is my report on a PHVI that I
>> observed on 5/16/18 at Fairfield Swamp WMA -- French Hill Access. I
>> think
>> it shows my thought process in narrowing it down to a PHVI vs. REVI:
>>
>> "Compared with Red-eyed Vireo: song slower, weaker, less insistent,
>> choppier, more pauses; dark eye line and light eyebrow stripe were
>> barely
>> noticeable; less active than typical REVI; body more compact, less
>> sleek.
>> Clear, pale breast--could not discern any yellow. Looked very much
>> like a
>> Warbling Vireo; If it hadn't been singing, I would have assumed it was a
>> WAVI. I listened to this bird for about 10 minutes and watched it
>> high in a
>> tree for several minutes, during which I had some clear views of its
>> head
>> and breast."
>>
>> I would add that it's easy to jump to conclusions on this species, so I
>> think it's important to distinguish it from REVI by more than one
>> criteria,
>> including song, appearance, and behavior. In this case, it was the
>> non-typical REVI song that caused me to look at this bird more
>> closely. I
>> was fortunate that it stayed in view long enough to get a good look
>> at it.
>> There might be others who are more experienced with PHVI and can ID
>> it more
>> readily, but for myself, I want to see several factors before
>> declaring it
>> a PHVI.
>>
>> --Ken Copenhaver
>>
>> On Thu, May 30, 2019 at 10:19 AM Bridget Butler <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Greetings All!
>>>
>>> I feel like I'm seeing a number of reports on Philadelphia Vireos in a
>>> number of different places recently.
>>>
>>> I've not much experience with this bird and have been reading up on
>>> tips
>>> for identifying the bird (including studying images) in relation to
>>> other
>>> vireos and warblers like the Tenessee Warbler. I'm wondering if I'm
>>> seeing
>>> them but just not really locking in on an id.
>>>
>>> Wondering if those of you with experience with this bird might share
>>> your
>>> own thinking on how to tease this bird out from others? What do you
>>> look
>>> for or notice in terms of both plumage AND behaviors?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance!
>>> Bridget
>>>
>>>
>>> *Bridget Butler*
>>>
>>> *Bird Diva Consulting*
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>>>
>>>
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