Blackburnian or Townsend's Warblers - Pt. Reyes, California (1 Viewer)

[Natalie]

Blackburnian or Townsend's Warblers - Point Reyes, California

Here are some (very poor) photos I took this morning of some warblers, and due to the quality I'm having trouble if they are Blackburnian or Townsend's Warblers. I know both species were present and I could tell the difference in the field, but once I got home I found that they were difficult to identify in my photos.

I think most of them are Blackburnians, and one of them is a Townsend's, but I just want to get a confirmation if anyone can make out the photos better than I can. The weather was very foggy and drizzly, which is the main reason for the quality of the photos (and the Blackburnians are like little kinglets and difficult to capture on film).

Thanks for any help.

EDIT: To be more specific, the only bird I clearly see a black throat on is the second one.

 

[jforb]

Ack, not seeing things well, nevermind.

 

[AmpelisChinito]

1 and 2 look like Townsend's, 3 and 4 are Blackburnians.

 

[Jim M.]

I think we see enough to call Townsend's for photo 2. The auriculars are quite dark and the yellow supercilium quite bold (perhaps we can see the black throat also, as you suggest). I think we see enough to call photo 3 a Blackburnian. We can see a hint of the dark markings extending down from the auriculars, which Townsend's lacks.

I am less sure about photos 1 & 4. Though apparent bill length supports Sean's suggestions.

Best,
Jim

 

[Natalie]

Thanks for the replies. After looking at the fourth photo more closely - I am fairly certain it is of a Blackburnian because in all the blurriness it's possible to make out a brownish bill, which Townsend's doesn't appear to have at any age or plumage. I agree that photos 1 and 2 look more like Townsend's and photos 3 and 4 are Blackburnians.