[PONYRCR]

I think this is a female Ruby Crowned Kinglet?

Seen today at Ken Malloy Regional Park in Harbor City.

[emupilot]

Originally Posted by PONYRCR

I think this is a female Ruby Crowned Kinglet?

Seen today at Ken Malloy Regional Park in Harbor City.

The bill doesn't look very kinglety to me - too short and thick - which makes me think Hutton's Vireo. Did the bird happen to be flitting its wings nervously (kinglet) or singing an incessant two-note upslurred song (vireo)?

[Larry Lade]

I don't think this is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet has a "broken" eyering, that is there is white in front of and behind the eye, but not above and below the eye. The bill looks pretty substantial also, whereas the kinglet has a tiny, little bill. The bird in your photos looks pretty robust also. The kinglet is a delicate, smallish bird.

I thought that your bird might be a warbler of some kind, but (I think) the bill looks too hefty for a warbler.

So, I am not certain what your bird is, but perhaps someone from "out west" will be able to help you with your identification.

[Larry Lade]

Yes, I think it is one of the vireos as emupilot suggests.

Here are some photos of Hutton's Vireo.

[PONYRCR]

Originally Posted by emupilot

The bill doesn't look very kinglety to me - too short and thick - which makes me think Hutton's Vireo. Did the bird happen to be flitting its wings nervously (kinglet) or singing an incessant two-note upslurred song (vireo)?

Hutton's Vireo was my second choice.

Actually I'd rather it be the Vireo as that would be a new bird for me.

It didn't seem to flit around as much as the Ruby Crowned Kinglet I saw last month.

Didn't notice any song. The Great-tailed Grackles made enough noise to drown just about any other bird out.

[jcwings]

I believe it is a vireo of the "Solitary" complex. I see strong spectacles, a "hooded" appearance, wingbars and a heavy black bill. Lighting isn't that great so it's difficult to say, but I would go with the default Solitary- Cassin's Vireo. Plumbeous is quite rare as a spring migrant in CA, and Cassin's can look very worn lacking much of the olive color and grayish hood color making them look like a Plumbeous. But, given the date and probability, Cassin's Vireo is my vote. Was it singing? This helps.

[PONYRCR]

Originally Posted by jcwings

I believe it is a vireo of the "Solitary" complex. I see strong spectacles, a "hooded" appearance, wingbars and a heavy black bill. Lighting isn't that great so it's difficult to say, but I would go with the default Solitary- Cassin's Vireo. Plumbeous is quite rare as a spring migrant in CA, and Cassin's can look very worn lacking much of the olive color and grayish hood color making them look like a Plumbeous. But, given the date and probability, Cassin's Vireo is my vote. Was it singing? This helps.

Didn't notice it singing.

There were lots of Great-tailed Grackles at the park and they were very vocal. They tended to drown out any other bird sounds.

[atricapillus]

Originally Posted by jcwings

I believe it is a vireo of the "Solitary" complex. I see strong spectacles, a "hooded" appearance, wingbars and a heavy black bill. Lighting isn't that great so it's difficult to say, but I would go with the default Solitary- Cassin's Vireo. Plumbeous is quite rare as a spring migrant in CA, and Cassin's can look very worn lacking much of the olive color and grayish hood color making them look like a Plumbeous. But, given the date and probability, Cassin's Vireo is my vote. Was it singing? This helps.

______________________________

I would agree on Cassin's. Notice how the spectacles are broken in front of the eye. Also seems like weak contrast between head and back.
CHEERS, JOE G

[jmorlan]

Hutton's eyering is broken on top, similar to kinglet. I agree with Cassin's Vireo.

[AlexC]

First impression was vireo from the "solitary" group - so as JCWings says, Cassin's for me.