A bit of a warbler quiz (updated)

[tomjenner]

The aim of this quiz is to guess the 8 species of New World warbler (Parulidae) from the heavily cropped photos you are given. They are all North American species. For those of you who followed the recent thread (recently lost, unfortunately), this includes everything from Panama north. I started this quiz before the hardware problems, so here is an updated version. MacGillivray's warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Kentucky Warbler and Fan-tailed Warbler had already been correctly identified, so I am leaving them out this time. Several people were on the right track, or had made correct guesses with the other 4, but I had not released the answers to give a few more people the chance to have a go. I have also added 4 new ones.
Good luck
Tom

[tomjenner]

The next 4

[Michael W]

I think #2 is a Northern Parula, but I have to think harder for the others...

#3 might be a Tropical Parula...

[weather]

First four:

1) Blue-winged Warbler
2) N. Parula
3) Canada Warbler
4) Cerulean Warbler

Next four:

1) Cape May Warbler
2) Black-throated Blue
3) Nashville
4) God?

Mike

[prairiemerlin]

1. Magnolia Warbler
2. Northern Parula
3. (?) Prothonitary Warbler (?)
4. Cerulean Warbler
5. (?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?)
6. Black-throated Blue Warbler
7. Canada Warbler
8. Black-and-white Warbler

I'm no good at tropical warblers, so I'm probably failing badly!

[prairiemerlin]

After viewing #3 again, I think I'm going to agree with Michael and call it a Tropical Parula.

[tomjenner]

Well done Neil and Mike for correctly identifying this Black-throated Blue Warbler, which was photographed by Jennifer Smith in El Salvador (the first country record). Congratulations also to Michael and Neil for identifying the Tropical Parula. I thought that this would be one of the hardest ones, because birders are far more familiar with the northern form which has two distinct wing-bars. I thought that this one (photographed in Honduras) would catch you out. I clearly underestimated the birdforum members. There have been a few other correct identifications, but there is still no concensus, so I will wait and see what others have to say before giving the answers. Good luck with the rest.
Tom

[atricapillus]

The next 4
_________________
Here goes:
1. Magnolia Warbler
2. Northern Parula
3. Already disclosed (Tropical Parula)
4. Black-throated Blue Warbler
5. Tennessee Warbler (looks like a Vermivora bill; remote chance it is one other genus.)
6. Already disclosed (Black-throated Blue Warbler)
7. Canada Warbler
8. Black and White Warler
CHEERS, JOE G

[sclateria]

#2 looks like a Crescent-chested Parula to me... though the breast band isn't right, so perhaps not...


Brad

[tomjenner]

Well done to Neil and Joe who agree on three other correct identifications:
1. Magnolia Warbler
7. Canada Warbler
8. Black-and-white Warbler

Lets see how you get on with the last three.

Tom

[Michael W]

How about American Redstart for #4.

[atricapillus]

Well done to Neil and Joe who agree on three other correct identifications:
1. Magnolia Warbler
7. Canada Warbler
8. Black-and-white Warbler

Lets see how you get on with the last three.

Tom
__________________________
Howdy,
Boy if #2 isn't a Parula, don't know what it is.

Will still go with Black-throated Blue Warbler for #4

With only a bill, it may be hard to pin down #5. The pointy tipped bill and no whiskers can exclude Dendroica, Seuirus, Wilsonia, Basiluterus (prob sic), and others. Really leaves it to Vermivora or Helmitheros.
Tennessee is my best guess for a Vermivora and is my first choice.
I really don't think it is is a Worm-eating but if the bill is really a little paler than it appears, it could be a Worm-eating [although I don't think the little bit of chin feathering is right for WEWA].
CHEERS, JOE G

[prairiemerlin]

4. I think I'm going to agree with Michael: American Redstart. The orange makes it look a lot like a redstart to me.

After reviewing #2, I've decided that it's a Crescent-chested Warbler. The white slash points toward CCW, and it doesn't have any chestnut or black on it's chest band, unlike a Northern Parula.

[tomjenner]

Well done Brad and Neil for correctly identifying the Crescent-chested Warbler. The section shown was very like a Northern Parula. In the corner you can see one small bit of white that is the bird's sub-ocular crescent, but Northern Parula shares this feature, with one above the eye as well. However, some of you may have spotted another small patch of white from the rear end of the supercilium. this is only found in Crescent-chested Warbler. The crescent chest is not visible on this photo.
This species is sometimes placed in the genus Vermivora (ie by Howell and Webb) and sometimes it is placed in the genus Parula (ie by the AOU). Superficially, at least, it looks far more closely related to the other Parulas.
Best of luck with the last two.
Tom

[atricapillus]

Well done Brad and Neil for correctly identifying the Crescent-chested Warbler. The section shown was very like a Northern Parula. In the corner you can see one small bit of white that is the bird's sub-ocular crescent, but Northern Parula shares this feature, with one above the eye as well. However, some of you may have spotted another small patch of white from the rear end of the supercilium. this is only found in Crescent-chested Warbler. The crescent chest is not visible on this photo.
This species is sometimes placed in the genus Vermivora (ie by Howell and Webb) and sometimes it is placed in the genus Parula (ie by the AOU). Superficially, at least, it looks far more closely related to the other Parulas.
Best of luck with the last two.
Tom
_________________________
One more try. If I guess the same answer twice, is it a concensus?
4. I will stay with Black-throated Blue Warbler.
5. Went through trying to find photos of Vermivora bills, and with a whitish chin combo, and came up a little off. It really isn't a WEWA as they have fairly big bills. The one that came out of the pile is Swainson's Warbler.
So will guess Swainson's for #5.
If it is one of those Central American jobs, I am afraid I am just blank out of luck even guessing.
CHEERS, JOE G

[tomjenner]

Well done Joe. Swainson's Warbler is the correct answer. However, the other bird is still not a Black-throated Blue Warbler. The bottom corner of the picture is red in colour.
Try one last shot at it.
Tom

[atricapillus]

Well done Joe. Swainson's Warbler is the correct answer. However, the other bird is still not a Black-throated Blue Warbler. The bottom corner of the picture is red in colour.
Try one last shot at it.
Tom
______________________________
Well, thought that was someone's finger.
My field guides don't show many blue backs, and show some inconsistencies between them, but with the glance of what appears to be pale feathers just off the wing, and "reddy" beyond, will guess with Flame-throated Warbler.

Nice quiz--got me thinking outside NA.
CHEERS, JOE G

[tomjenner]

______________________________
Well, thought that was someone's finger.
My field guides don't show many blue backs, and show some inconsistencies between them, but with the glance of what appears to be pale feathers just off the wing, and "reddy" beyond, will guess with Flame-throated Warbler.

Nice quiz--got me thinking outside NA.
CHEERS, JOE G
Not Flame-throated Joe, but keep thinking outside of the USA (technically, the photo was taken in North America). Now that you have honed in your Latin American warbler ID skills you should think of heading down this way to see some in real life. The birding is great and its a lot cheaper than up north.
Best of luck with the last one.

Tom

[atricapillus]

Not Flame-throated Joe, but keep thinking outside of the USA (technically, the photo was taken in North America). Now that you have honed in your Latin American warbler ID skills you should think of heading down this way to see some in real life. The birding is great and its a lot cheaper than up north.
Best of luck with the last one.

Tom
___________________________
Well that leaves it (I think) to Red-breasted Chat or Slate-throated Redstart. Red-breasted Chat is the bluer backed one according to the pictures. Does this fill the bill?
You're right about heading down there. I have been a "wild-places" person, and have tended to head for open prairie, mountains, tundra or open ocean.
Clearly missing out on some pretty pretty birds.
CHEERS, JOE G

[tomjenner]

Sorry for taking so long to reply, but I've been out in the forest for the last few days and there was no internet access. You are right in guessing the last bird as a Slate-throated Redstart.

Tom