Bushtit or Wrentit (1 Viewer)

Brian Hubbs

Bird Photographer - Species: 374

• Jun 6, 2016

• #1

Seen in February in southern San Luis Obispo co., CA at a marsh. I always thought it was a Bushtit, but after looking at pics of both I believe this might actually be a Wrentit. Anyone know for sure?

 

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Brian Hubbs

Bird Photographer - Species: 374

• Jun 6, 2016

• #2

Hmmm...I guess all the U.S. birders who would know this are asleep...

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jun 6, 2016

• #3

Bushtit, male - note the dark eye. Female Bushtits, and all Wrentits, have a pale iris.

The small blunt bill shape also fits Bushtit, Wrentit has a stouter / sharper, slightly downcurved bill.

Oh, and also 'at a marsh' - Wrentits are birds of low dry scrub, whereas Bushtits have a wider habitat choice :t:

 

Brian Hubbs

Bird Photographer - Species: 374

• Jun 6, 2016

• #4

Thank you, but i have a question...why do all the pics I see of Bushtit's show a gray bird with a lighter breast? Is mine brown because of the exposure, or can they be brown as well as gray?

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jun 6, 2016

• #5

Coastal birds (as at SLO, CA) are browner than interior birds - the ones you get in AZ are much greyer.

Edit: worth remembering this (browner in more humid coastal areas) actually applies to a lot of birds / animals - see Gloger's rule :t:

 

Last edited: Jun 6, 2016

Brian Hubbs

Bird Photographer - Species: 374

• Jun 6, 2016

• #6

Thanks. That also applies to kingsnakes in southern coastal CA. For some reason the snakes get darker near the Bay area and north of there. Perhaps due to the colder climate.