Help Please Southeast Arizona, USA (1 Viewer)

[Lisa W]

I'm thinking some type of Oriole, or possibly a Tanager. Taken today, May 30, 2008 in Huachuca Canyon on Fort Huachuca in Southeast Arizona. I'm sure it's going to be easy and I'm going to look a fool, just can't get it to match up in my Sibley's.
Thanks,
Lisa

 

[TorchBCT]

Female Hepatic Tanager would match with the coloration, the gray eyeline/auriculars, bill shape and size. It's also in range for southeastern AZ.

 

[AlexC]

Hi Lisa,

Looks to be good for a female-type Hepatic Tanager. Prominent yellow on the forehead and throat; also note the dull auriculars and the trace of a black eye-line.

EDIT: Brandon beat me to it!

 

[Jim M.]

Agree with female-type Hepatic Tanager. I think Sibley's is a bit misleading here in suggesting that there must be orange coloration on the throat.

By the way Lisa, a good way to distinguish orioles from tanagers is bill shape. Orioles have a conical beak with straight edges (or in some species slightly downcurved) coming to a sharp point. The Tanager's beak is much thicker towards the end and it comes to a rounded (or in this case actually hooked) point.

Best,
Jim

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

The grayish bill would also point to hepatic tanager over all the other tanagers found in SE AZ (except a vagrant flame-colored, which would have prominent wing bars , and this bird doesn't).

 

[Lisa W]

Thanks everyone, I had gone away from the oriole family because of the bill. But then a "better birder" told me it was an oriole, so made me doubt myself.
I was thinking Tanager, but I didn't match it to the Hepatic, now that you all have pointed out the reasons it makes perfect sense.
Appreciate the help.