Vireo, Plumbeous... Perhaps. Arizona (1 Viewer)

[Photgog]

Taken in Gilbert Water Ranch... SE of Phoenix, Feb 10, 10. Arizona

Vireos are not my level of comfort, and this bird is not listed as having been seen at this park.

Comments Please.

Fraser

 

[fugl]

Cassin's or Plumbeous, I would say

 

[Jim M.]

Taken in Gilbert Water Ranch... SE of Phoenix, Feb 10, 10. Arizona

Vireos are not my level of comfort, and this bird is not listed as having been seen at this park.

Comments Please.

Fraser

Hi Fraser,

Any photos from different angles? By the way, both Plumbeous Vireo and Cassin's Vireo appear on the eBird list for birds at the Water Ranch (see here: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step...continue.x=55&continue.y=15&continue=Continue), though the reports suggest they are infrequently seen in winter.

Best,
Jim

 

[njlarsen]

Nice photo! Sorry that I can only support either Plumbeous or Cassins

Niels

 

[Photgog]

Hi Fraser,

Any photos from different angles? By the way, both Plumbeous Vireo and Cassin's Vireo appear on the eBird list for birds at the Water Ranch (see here: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step...continue.x=55&continue.y=15&continue=Continue), though the reports suggest they are infrequently seen in winter.

Best,
Jim

Thanks for the Information... I have only checked with the posted list of birds for the park... This morning I will try to contact other members... because I'm sure that the published list is not up to date. There are several other photos of this bird, some not in perfect focus... here is one.

Fraser

 

[njlarsen]

I am working from memory here, but I think the slight greenish tint seen on flanks and mantle are better for Cassin's?

Niels

 

[Bosque]

Plumbeous I think. Cassin's should be a little darker with distinct yellow on the flanks.

 

[Photgog]

Plumbeous I think. Cassin's should be a little darker with distinct yellow on the flanks.

OK.. I'm beginning to get more familiar with this bird now... as I study it, and think that this... otherwise throw away photo... might help.

My Sibley's says that Greenish edges on the secondaries indicate Cassin's.

I post another photo for review. Same bird. Had I known the important ID marks I would have posted all at once.

Fraser

 

[Photgog]

I bump this... because I'm not sure that readers realize that there are two additional pictures posted for comparison.

Thanks Fraser

 

[james holdsworth]

The amount of greenish in the p's and flanks could be seen on a 1st basic Plumb, the bird is pretty dull for Cassin's.

I'm undecided, though.

 

[Chris Benesh]

Hi All,

For me this is a Plumbeous Vireo. The reasoning is that that degree of contrast visible on the face would only be found on the brightest of Cassin's Vireos rather than the super dull ones. But boy this whole Solitary Vireo complex is a mess.

Chris

 

[Photgog]

I'm happy with Plumbeous... but I'm confused with the descriptions in Sibley's and I'm not sure that I (or perhaps anyone with my intermediate level of birding) can identify this bird without experienced assistance.

Thanks to all.

Fraser

 

[Jim M.]

I'm happy with Plumbeous... but I'm confused with the descriptions in Sibley's and I'm not sure that I (or perhaps anyone with my intermediate level of birding) can identify this bird without experienced assistance.

Thanks to all.

Fraser

Not sure if you are using the big Sibley's, but it notes: "The three species in the Solitary Vireo group are rather poorly differentiated.... Intermediate birds (and perhaps hybrids) should be expected, and not every individual will be identifiable."

Best,
Jim

 

[Photgog]

I do have the "Big Sibley's" book, and about twenty others.. that doesn't mean that I have all the knowledge in these books... but I'm trying.

I often say... What I don't know about birds... fills many books.

Again Thanks.

Fraser

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

I lean plumbeous. Cassin's to me are just brighter and greener. While this bird has some green tones, it's just too dull for Cassin's IMO.

 

[james holdsworth]

Hi All,

For me this is a Plumbeous Vireo. The reasoning is that that degree of contrast visible on the face would only be found on the brightest of Cassin's Vireos rather than the super dull ones. But boy this whole Solitary Vireo complex is a mess.

Chris

I thought the same, although that contrast varied from pic to pic, which left me undecided.