Mysticete
Well-known member
http://birding.typepad.com/peeps/
after reading the Sungrebe update on the Peeps birding blog, I noticed that the post beneath it had a update on the rarity codes on the ABA checklist.
For those not familiar with the codes, they are basically ranking of how rare a bird reported in the ABA area is
1-2 are normally occurring breeding birds and visitors
3 are rare birds with annual in occurrence
4 are casual strays with 6 occurrences in the ABA area, 3 within the last 30 years.
5 are, well anything with less number of occurrences
6 are functionally extinct
ANYWAY, I am rather dissapointed with some of the changes, especially Fork-tailed Flycatcher. Green Violetear also has a similar pattern. While technically they do show up every year, there still doesn't seem to be much pattern (other than Atlantic coastal, and not even that on the Violetear!) on where they show up. Most of the code three birds you can realistically plan a strategy of attack, but not these guys. I also had my Flame-colored Tanager downgraded to code 3. Yeah, it's not difficult to get right now, but that is mostly because of one bird in Madera Canyon that shows up every summer. I wonder if this will go back to 4 after that bird and his illegitimate offspring die?
I kind of wonder if maybe the ABA should rethink some of it's rarity rating systems? But then my main target is to get all the code 3 birds in the next decade or two, so I admit I am a tad biased....
after reading the Sungrebe update on the Peeps birding blog, I noticed that the post beneath it had a update on the rarity codes on the ABA checklist.
For those not familiar with the codes, they are basically ranking of how rare a bird reported in the ABA area is
1-2 are normally occurring breeding birds and visitors
3 are rare birds with annual in occurrence
4 are casual strays with 6 occurrences in the ABA area, 3 within the last 30 years.
5 are, well anything with less number of occurrences
6 are functionally extinct
ANYWAY, I am rather dissapointed with some of the changes, especially Fork-tailed Flycatcher. Green Violetear also has a similar pattern. While technically they do show up every year, there still doesn't seem to be much pattern (other than Atlantic coastal, and not even that on the Violetear!) on where they show up. Most of the code three birds you can realistically plan a strategy of attack, but not these guys. I also had my Flame-colored Tanager downgraded to code 3. Yeah, it's not difficult to get right now, but that is mostly because of one bird in Madera Canyon that shows up every summer. I wonder if this will go back to 4 after that bird and his illegitimate offspring die?
I kind of wonder if maybe the ABA should rethink some of it's rarity rating systems? But then my main target is to get all the code 3 birds in the next decade or two, so I admit I am a tad biased....
