ID-FRONTIERS for June 1-10, 2000

Messages are displayed in the order they were received.  Subject  From  Date   Time   RF comment on an odd empid   Martin Reid    Fri, 2 Jun 2000   6:11am   RF comment: an intermediate Lesser Golden Plover?   Martin Reid    Fri, 2 Jun 2000   6:18am   White-faced Ibis   Ross Silcock    Sun, 4 Jun 2000   2:24pm   Re: White-faced Ibis   Elliot Kirschbaum    Sun, 4 Jun 2000   4:01pm   Re: RF comment: an intermediate Lesser Golden Plover?   Adriaens, Peter   Mon, 5 Jun 2000   3:08am   Possible Redhead in Germany   Jan Ole Kriegs    Tue, 6 Jun 2000   4:14am   Re: White-faced Ibis   Phil Davis    Tue, 6 Jun 2000   9:13pm   Re: Possible Redhead in Germany   Adriaens, Peter   Wed, 7 Jun 2000   4:27am   Fwd: Peculiar blue jay   Les Chibana    Thu, 8 Jun 2000   11:38am   Eye-browed Sandpiper??   Angus Wilson    Thu, 8 Jun 2000   1:55pm   Re: Eye-browed Sandpiper??   Jeff Gilligan    Thu, 8 Jun 2000   5:28pm   Re: Eye-browed Sandpiper??   Adriaens, Peter   Fri, 9 Jun 2000   1:39am   Re: Eye-browed Sandpiper??   norman van swelm    Fri, 9 Jun 2000   4:31am   Re: Eye-browed Sandpiper??   Jeff Gilligan    Fri, 9 Jun 2000   11:54am   Re: BIRDWG01 Digest - 7 Jun 2000 to 8 Jun 2000 (#2000-109)   Glenda Slessor    Fri, 9 Jun 2000   5:18pm   Eye-browed Sandpiper??   Angus Wilson    Sat, 10 Jun 2000   3:06pm   Tree Swallow   Steven Mlodinow    Sat, 10 Jun 2000   3:55pm   Re: Eye-browed Sandpiper   Martin Reid    Sat, 10 Jun 2000   5:19pm

To use email addresses replace '(AT)' with '@'. This is done to confuse the spam 'bots.

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: RF comment on an odd empid
From: Martin Reid <upupa(AT)AIRMAIL.NET>
Date: 2 Jun 2000 6:11am

Dear all,
I have added a page at my web site concerning an unusual empid.  At first I
thought I might have found a Dusky Fly (in Fort Worth); there are no
documented records of DUFL east of the Pecos, yet a study of their breeding
and wintering ranges indicates to me that they should be a rare but regular
visitor in North-central Texas ( for example, Lazuli Bunting has somewhat
similar ranges, and a handful are seen every year in Fort Worth; Spring of
2000 has been an invasion year for Lazuli, with 15+ seen; I had 3 at the
same location as this empid).
I was able to get a number of photos ( it was unusually cooperative for an
empid),and the concensus (thus far) is that it is a Least Fly.  I feel it
could be a bird from the overlap zone of LEFL and DUFL ( this zone is
considerable for almost every feature), but what is MOST interesting is
that it responded vigorously to the song of Dusky Fly, and not to that of
Least Fly( details of this are explained on the web page):-
http://www.cyberramp.net/~upupa/empid.html
I look forward to comments about this bird and/or about empids responding
to the song of different species - thanks.
Martin
Martin Reid
upupa(AT)airmail.net
http://www.martinreid.com  or  http://www.cyberramp.net/~upupa


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: RF comment: an  intermediate Lesser Golden
         Plover?
From: Martin Reid <upupa(AT)AIRMAIL.NET>
Date: 2 Jun 2000 6:18am

Dear all,
For all you Pluviophiles, here is an interesting individual to ponder:
http://www.cyberramp.net/~upupa/pluv.html
Postscript to the web page text:- I have attempted to measure exposed tiba:
tarsus and exposed tibia: bill length on my photos of this bird; I may be
doing this incorrectly, but on the 7+ images where the data points are
usable, every ratio value favors PAGP, and some seem to exclude AMGP.....
I look forward to your comments, thanks.
Martin
Martin Reid
upupa(AT)airmail.net
http://www.martinreid.com  or  http://www.cyberramp.net/~upupa


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: White-faced Ibis
From: Ross Silcock <silcock(AT)SIDNEY.HEARTLAND.NET>
Date: 4 Jun 2000 2:24pm

BIRWG01ers:
Does anyone have any info on the presumably immature (first alternate?)
plumage of this species in which the facial skin is pink? A few of these
birds are seen with flocks of typical (white feathering outlining "face")
adults in Nebraska each spring, Apr-May.  Are these indeed fist alternate
birds? If not, what are they?  I can find very little on immature plumages
of this species in the (my) literature.
Thanks!
Ross

Ross Silcock
Tabor, IA
silcock(AT)sidney.heartland.net
New Zealand Land and Pelagic Trips
<http://sidney.heartland.net/silcock>


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: White-faced Ibis
From: Elliot Kirschbaum <ekirschb(AT)BCPL.NET>
Date: 4 Jun 2000 4:01pm

On 6/4/00 5:23 PM Ross Silcock said

>Does anyone have any info on the presumably immature (first alternate?)
>plumage of this species in which the facial skin is pink?

Greg Miller has some WFIB pictures on his website. He took them recently
in New Mexico. They include basic and alternate plumaged birds, as well
as an immature.

 http://www.geocities.com/hawk-owl/NM200004.HTM

Elliot Kirschbaum
Baltimore, MD USA
mailto:ekirschb(AT)bcpl.net


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: RF comment: an  intermediate Lesser Golden
         Plover?
From: "Adriaens, Peter" <padriaens(AT)C2000.BE>
Date: 5 Jun 2000 3:08am

Hello Martin,

I would say this looks like a 1st summer American Golden Plover, because of
its rather dark and grey plumage, long wing projection, rather long primary
projection, a very white supercilium and forehead contrasting with a very
dark crown (no clear golden or yellowish spots on crown), and a very dark
mantle. The scapulars show relatively rounded dark centra, no markedly
notched chevrons or 'holly-leaf' patterns. A number of mantle feathers and
scapulars have clearly been renewed, and yet they lack any clear yellow
spots, which would be expected in fresh feathers of Pacific.
Non-breeding Pacific Golden Plover is normally quite reminiscent of European
Golden Plover as for plumage tone/pattern, but this bird definitely does not
recall this species.

A distinct leg projection is not an exclusive feature of Pacific, since some
American Golden show this (though rather less distinctly -- cf. the latest
issue of Dutch Birding); besides, this character is not shown in the
photographs.

Best regards,

Peter

==>-----Original Message-----
==>From: Martin Reid [mailto:upupa(AT)AIRMAIL.NET]
==>Sent: vrijdag 2 juni 2000 15:16
==>To: BIRDWG01(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
==>Subject: [BIRDWG01] RF comment: an intermediate Lesser Golden Plover?
==>
==>
==>Dear all,
==>For all you Pluviophiles, here is an interesting individual
==>to ponder:
==>http://www.cyberramp.net/~upupa/pluv.html
==>Postscript to the web page text:- I have attempted to
==>measure exposed tiba:
==>tarsus and exposed tibia: bill length on my photos of this
==>bird; I may be
==>doing this incorrectly, but on the 7+ images where the data
==>points are
==>usable, every ratio value favors PAGP, and some seem to
==>exclude AMGP.....
==>I look forward to your comments, thanks.
==>Martin
==>Martin Reid
==>upupa(AT)airmail.net
==>http://www.martinreid.com  or  http://www.cyberramp.net/~upupa
==>


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Possible Redhead in Germany
From: Jan Ole Kriegs <kriegs(AT)UNI-MUENSTER.DE>
Date: 6 Jun 2000 4:14am

Hello all!

This spring we observed a strange duck in Muenster/Germany. We suppose it
might be a redhead.

Due we have not got enough litterature at hand we cannot judge some
features.
Now my questions:
What about the wing pattern (contrast)?
Is the head shape round enough?
Can a hybrid be excluded?

You can find pics of the bird at
http://www.uni-muenster.de/Landschaftsoekologie/ag_bioz/privat/doer/Ornicorn
er/MS_Orni/rotkopfente.htm

Thanks for any help in advance,

Jan Ole Kriegs
R.-Harbig-Weg 45
D- 48149 Muenster
Germany


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: White-faced Ibis
From: Phil Davis <PDavis(AT)IX.NETCOM.COM>
Date: 6 Jun 2000 9:13pm

Hi Ross -

Someone already provided Greg Miller's URL, where his photos are.  Here is
a message (below) from him that discusses the field marks.  I don't think
he'll mind me reposting this.

Phil

At 04:23 PM 06/04/2000 -0500, Ross Silcock wrote:
>BIRWG01ers:
>Does anyone have any info on the presumably immature (first alternate?)
>plumage of this species in which the facial skin is pink? A few of these
>birds are seen with flocks of typical (white feathering outlining "face")
>adults in Nebraska each spring, Apr-May.  Are these indeed fist alternate
>birds? If not, what are they?  I can find very little on immature plumages
>of this species in the (my) literature.
>Thanks!
>Ross
>
>
>Ross Silcock
>Tabor, IA
>silcock(AT)sidney.heartland.net
>New Zealand Land and Pelagic Trips
><http://sidney.heartland.net/silcock>

Date:         Tue, 30 May 2000 18:57:40 -0700
Reply-To:     Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY(AT)HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY(AT)HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Greg Miller <hawk-owl(AT)YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      [MDOSPREY] White-faced Ibis pics
To:           MDOSPREY(AT)HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM

No.  Not the Maryland birds...yet.  But for those of
you giving chase for the Maryland White-faceds, I've
scanned a few photos I took of White-faced Ibis in
different plumages (immature, basic, and alternate)
while in New Mexico last month.  These photos can be
found at:

    http://www.geocities.com/hawk-owl/NM200004.HTM

immature - dull medium brown with varying amounts of
white flecking on head and neck.  eye red.  large
facial skin patch at face.  outer portions pinkish and
center duller and darker.  noticeable section of skin
over base of upper mandible.  legs variable, but still
usually show more reddish than glossies (vaughn bird
appears to have reddish upper legs--lower sections
were either muddy or grayish).  iridescence shows up
on some individuals in the greater coverts (vaughn
bird shows some warm brown iridescence on the
shoulder).

adult basic - darker, duller appearance overall.
lacks white feather edges around face.  note that even
in this plumage, white-faced have a larger facial
patch than glossies, esp taller, vertically, at base
of bill and a little behind the eye.  see also the
bright red legs of the adult birds in the background.

adult alternate - brightly iridescent brown/green and
sometimes a hint of purplish coloration.  outstanding
bright pink facial patch and wide white feather around
the entire area (including behind the eye--sometime
very thin or absent in glossies).  glossies often have
varying amounts of white feathering, often contrasting
highly with the blue-gray facial skin, so appropriate
care should be taken in the field.  the red legs on
the adult white-faced can be striking.  most glossies
have red joints, but a few do show a hint of reddish,
particulary on the upper section of the legs.

Greg Miller
Hollywood, MD

==================================
Phil Davis      Davidsonville, Maryland     USA
                mailto:PDavis(AT)ix.netcom.com
==================================


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: Possible Redhead in Germany
From: "Adriaens, Peter" <padriaens(AT)C2000.BE>
Date: 7 Jun 2000 4:27am

Dear Jan Ole,

in the photographs I can't see anything really wrong for Redhead, nor any
feature that would clearly suggest that the bird is more likely a hybrid.

There are some (very) subtle additional clues (differences from Pochard),
which I did not find in the description, but are more or less visible in the
pictures:
- in flight, the black breast clearly reaches the forewings (less so in male
Pochard, but of course a subtle element)
- there is a very thin black line along the bill base (slightly as in male
American Wigeon, but much less visible; best seen at the base of the lower
mandible).

The following interesting/useful photographs of male Redheads can be seen on
the following websites:

http://donb.photo.net/photo_cd/d/b101.html
http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/Photo/Images/h1460pi.jpg
http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/Photo/Images/h1460p2.jpg (this
in-hand photo illustrates       the wing pattern very well)
http://district.gresham.k12.or.us/ghs/nature/animal/bird/duck/redhead.jpg
http://aves.net/birds-of-ohio/birdredh.htm
http://www.tsuru-bird.net/waterfowl2/redhead_m1.jpg
http://mamba.bio.uci.edu/~pjbryant/biodiv/birds/anseriformes/142206.htm

Best regards,

Peter Adriaens
BELGIUM

==>-----Original Message-----
==>From: Jan Ole Kriegs [mailto:kriegs(AT)UNI-MUENSTER.DE]
==>Sent: donderdag 6 juli 2000 13:21
==>To: BIRDWG01(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
==>Subject: [BIRDWG01] Possible Redhead in Germany
==>
==>
==>Hello all!
==>
==>This spring we observed a strange duck in Muenster/Germany.
==>We suppose it
==>might be a redhead.
==>
==>Due we have not got enough litterature at hand we cannot judge some
==>features.
==>Now my questions:
==>What about the wing pattern (contrast)?
==>Is the head shape round enough?
==>Can a hybrid be excluded?
==>
==>You can find pics of the bird at
==>http://www.uni-muenster.de/Landschaftsoekologie/ag_bioz/priva
==>t/doer/Ornicorn
==>er/MS_Orni/rotkopfente.htm
==>
==>Thanks for any help in advance,
==>
==>Jan Ole Kriegs
==>R.-Harbig-Weg 45
==>D- 48149 Muenster
==>Germany
==>


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Fwd: Peculiar blue jay
From: Les Chibana <les(AT)auc.com>
Date: 8 Jun 2000 11:38am

This message was posted to the bird banding list. I thought that
some of the ID-Frontiers subscribers might take a shot at this. I
can forward responses/questions to the bander list or you can copy
Laura Obiso.

Les Chibana, Palo Alto, CA    les(AT)auc.com

>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 7 Jun 2000 21:15:12 -0400
>From:    Laura Obiso <laurobi48(AT)MINDSPRING.COM>
>Subject: Peculiar blue jay
>
>Hello all,
>
>Wondering if you can assist? I work at a rehab center in southwest
>Florida - we have in our aviary a HY blue jay that was brought
>in to the sanctuary as an 'orphaned' fledgling. The bird is peculiar
>for a blue jay. The back and back of neck are gray, with bright blue
>feathers forming an indistinct V. The bird is crested, but the
>facial markings are not as distinct as a blue jay. The most striking
>difference, however, is that it lacks the white wing bars and dark
>'barring' on the primaries. The first 10 primaries are half blue,
>half dark gray, the colors split at the shaft. No barring, no white.
>The secondaries are the same, except the very ends are white. On the
>tail, there is no barring, the outside five feathers are white-tipped,
>the center ones are not.
>
>I am relaying this information from notes I made earlier today, and of
>course, left at work, so there may be a few other details I'm not
>remembering here, but these are the major differences. Since we are in
>an area where the Florida scrub jay breeds, the question came up as to
>whether this could possibly be a hybrid? Has anyone encountered a
>similarly-marked jay?
>
>Although I have a master permit, I have not banded in Florida (in the
>process of putting all that together!) and have not had any hands-on
>experience with scrub jays. I have, however, banded many blue jays, and
>none look like this bird.
>
>I will try to get someone to photograph the bird (my camera is in the
>shop for the next two weeks!) but in the meantime I'd appreciate any
>suggestions!
>
>Thank you
>
>Laura


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Eye-browed Sandpiper??
From: Angus Wilson <wilsoa02(AT)ENDEAVOR.MED.NYU.EDU>
Date: 8 Jun 2000 1:55pm

Olli Nuessen posted an interesting message on EuroBirdNet soliciting
comments on a puzzling calidrid sandpiper that he photographed in Oman on
16 March 2000. I for one would be interested in hearing any ID-frontiers
members thoughts on the age and identify of this handsome shorebird and
will forward comments to Herr Nuessen.

The photos are on his homepage at:

http://ollinuessen.online.de/

Cheers, Angus Wilson

***********************************
New York City
tel: (212) 263-0206
Fax: (212) 263-8276
E-mail: wilsoa02(AT)popmail.med.nyu.edu
Bird ID Web Site: http://www.best.com/~petrel/index.html


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: Eye-browed Sandpiper??
From: Jeff Gilligan <jeffgill(AT)TELEPORT.COM>
Date: 8 Jun 2000 5:28pm

It clearly is not a North American species.  I suggest that it s hybrid of
some sort.  Based on the wing length, apparent body shape, leg color, and
absence of toe webbing, if the photo had been taken in North America (which
it wasn't) I would have wondered whether it was a hybrid of a Baird's
Sandpiper and some other species.

I think that hybrid calidrids are not as rare as was once assumed.  I have
seen what appeared to be a hybrid Sanderling (it almost certainly had that
species in its parentage) and either a Western Sandpiper or a Semipalmated
Sandpiper.  I also have photos of a bird seen by me and Gerard Lillie that
is an apparent hybrid between a Baird's Sandpiper and a Least Sandpiper.)

----------
>From: Angus Wilson <wilsoa02(AT)ENDEAVOR.MED.NYU.EDU>
>To: BIRDWG01(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
>Subject: [BIRDWG01] Eye-browed Sandpiper??
>Date: Thu, Jun 8, 2000, 1:55 PM
>

> Olli Nuessen posted an interesting message on EuroBirdNet soliciting
> comments on a puzzling calidrid sandpiper that he photographed in Oman on
> 16 March 2000. I for one would be interested in hearing any ID-frontiers
> members thoughts on the age and identify of this handsome shorebird and
> will forward comments to Herr Nuessen.
>
> The photos are on his homepage at:
>
> http://ollinuessen.online.de/
>
> Cheers, Angus Wilson
>
> ***********************************
> New York City
> tel: (212) 263-0206
> Fax: (212) 263-8276
> E-mail: wilsoa02(AT)popmail.med.nyu.edu
> Bird ID Web Site: http://www.best.com/~petrel/index.html
>


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: Eye-browed Sandpiper??
From: "Adriaens, Peter" <padriaens(AT)C2000.BE>
Date: 9 Jun 2000 1:39am

Dear Olli, Angus, and Jeff,

I think this bird is, in fact, a Little Stint.

The bird is largely in winter plumage, and seems to be still moulting at
least some of its tertials. Because of this rather late moult, and the quite
obvious brownish hue to its wingcoverts, it may be in its second-calendar
year, but that is hard to tell for sure.

Although the bird's size cannot be determined in the photographs, its
structure (bill length and shape, rather long primary projection --
emphasized by the still growing tertials --, and body shape), 'dirty'-grey
upperparts/upperwings with rather broad darkish centra (most obvious along
the shafts of each feather) on the coverts, brownish hue to these coverts
and -- more obviously so -- crown and breast sides, and lack of clear breast
streaking, all suggest a winter-plumaged Little Stint.
Admittedly, its crown is rather dark, and its supercilium quite obviously
white, but I believe it is not outside the normal variation in this species.

I don't think there is any reason for considering a hybrid origin.

Best regards,

Peter Adriaens
BELGIUM

==>-----Original Message-----
==>From: Angus Wilson [mailto:wilsoa02(AT)ENDEAVOR.MED.NYU.EDU]
==>Sent: donderdag 8 juni 2000 22:55
==>To: BIRDWG01(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
==>Subject: [BIRDWG01] Eye-browed Sandpiper??
==>
==>
==>Olli Nuessen posted an interesting message on EuroBirdNet soliciting
==>comments on a puzzling calidrid sandpiper that he
==>photographed in Oman on
==>16 March 2000. I for one would be interested in hearing any
==>ID-frontiers
==>members thoughts on the age and identify of this handsome
==>shorebird and
==>will forward comments to Herr Nuessen.
==>
==>The photos are on his homepage at:
==>
==>http://ollinuessen.online.de/
==>
==>Cheers, Angus Wilson
==>
==>***********************************
==>New York City
==>tel: (212) 263-0206
==>Fax: (212) 263-8276
==>E-mail: wilsoa02(AT)popmail.med.nyu.edu
==>Bird ID Web Site: http://www.best.com/~petrel/index.html
==>


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: Eye-browed Sandpiper??
From: norman van swelm <Norman.vanswelm(AT)WXS.NL>
Date: 9 Jun 2000 4:31am

>I think that hybrid calidrids are not as rare as was once assumed.  I have
>seen what appeared to be a hybrid Sanderling (it almost certainly had that
>species in its parentage) and either a Western Sandpiper or a Semipalmated
>Sandpiper.  I also have photos of a bird seen by me and Gerard Lillie that
>is an apparent hybrid between a Baird's Sandpiper and a Least Sandpiper.)
Could you make these pictures available to us Jeff since it is all
complicated and interesting stuff?
Norman


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: Eye-browed Sandpiper??
From: Jeff Gilligan <jeffgill(AT)TELEPORT.COM>
Date: 9 Jun 2000 11:54am

I don't have the capacity to attach photos to my e-mail messages.  I will
ask a friend to do so next week, if he hasn't already departed for a two
week trip. Jeff.

----------
>From: "norman van swelm" <Norman.vanswelm(AT)wxs.nl>
>To: "Jeff Gilligan" <jeffgill(AT)TELEPORT.COM> , <BIRDWG01(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
>Subject: Re: [BIRDWG01] Eye-browed Sandpiper??
>Date: Fri, Jun 9, 2000, 4:30 AM
>

>
>>I think that hybrid calidrids are not as rare as was once assumed.  I have
>>seen what appeared to be a hybrid Sanderling (it almost certainly had that
>>species in its parentage) and either a Western Sandpiper or a Semipalmated
>>Sandpiper.  I also have photos of a bird seen by me and Gerard Lillie that
>>is an apparent hybrid between a Baird's Sandpiper and a Least Sandpiper.)
> Could you make these pictures available to us Jeff since it is all
> complicated and interesting stuff?
> Norman
>


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: BIRDWG01 Digest - 7 Jun 2000 to 8 Jun 2000
         (#2000-109)
From: Glenda Slessor <Slessorg(AT)HALTONBE.ON.CA>
Date: 9 Jun 2000 5:18pm

In the current issue of Ontario Birds 18, 8-12 is an article by Kevin
McLaughlin and Alan Wormington, "An Apparent Dunlin x White-rumped
Sandpiper Hybrid.  Has two colour photos.

Bob Curry
30-3115 New Street
Burlington, ON
L7N 3T6
905-637-2022
slessorg(AT)haltonbe.on.ca
----------
> From: Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
> To: Recipients of BIRDWG01 digests <BIRDWG01(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
> Subject: BIRDWG01 Digest - 7 Jun 2000 to 8 Jun 2000 (#2000-109)
> Date: Friday, June 09, 2000 3:03 AM
>
> There are 3 messages totalling 133 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
>   1. Fwd: Peculiar blue jay
>   2. Eye-browed Sandpiper?? (2)
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date:    Thu, 8 Jun 2000 11:39:00 -0700
> From:    Les Chibana <les(AT)AUC.COM>
> Subject: Fwd: Peculiar blue jay
>
> This message was posted to the bird banding list. I thought that
> some of the ID-Frontiers subscribers might take a shot at this. I
> can forward responses/questions to the bander list or you can copy
> Laura Obiso.
>
> Les Chibana, Palo Alto, CA    les(AT)auc.com
>
> >------------------------------
> >
> >Date:    Wed, 7 Jun 2000 21:15:12 -0400
> >From:    Laura Obiso <laurobi48(AT)MINDSPRING.COM>
> >Subject: Peculiar blue jay
> >
> >Hello all,
> >
> >Wondering if you can assist? I work at a rehab center in southwest
> >Florida - we have in our aviary a HY blue jay that was brought
> >in to the sanctuary as an 'orphaned' fledgling. The bird is peculiar
> >for a blue jay. The back and back of neck are gray, with bright blue
> >feathers forming an indistinct V. The bird is crested, but the
> >facial markings are not as distinct as a blue jay. The most striking
> >difference, however, is that it lacks the white wing bars and dark
> >'barring' on the primaries. The first 10 primaries are half blue,
> >half dark gray, the colors split at the shaft. No barring, no white.
> >The secondaries are the same, except the very ends are white. On the
> >tail, there is no barring, the outside five feathers are white-tipped,
> >the center ones are not.
> >
> >I am relaying this information from notes I made earlier today, and of
> >course, left at work, so there may be a few other details I'm not
> >remembering here, but these are the major differences. Since we are in
> >an area where the Florida scrub jay breeds, the question came up as to
> >whether this could possibly be a hybrid? Has anyone encountered a
> >similarly-marked jay?
> >
> >Although I have a master permit, I have not banded in Florida (in the
> >process of putting all that together!) and have not had any hands-on
> >experience with scrub jays. I have, however, banded many blue jays, and
> >none look like this bird.
> >
> >I will try to get someone to photograph the bird (my camera is in the
> >shop for the next two weeks!) but in the meantime I'd appreciate any
> >suggestions!
> >
> >Thank you
> >
> >Laura
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date:    Thu, 8 Jun 2000 16:55:07 -0400
> From:    Angus Wilson <wilsoa02(AT)ENDEAVOR.MED.NYU.EDU>
> Subject: Eye-browed Sandpiper??
>
> Olli Nuessen posted an interesting message on EuroBirdNet soliciting
> comments on a puzzling calidrid sandpiper that he photographed in Oman on
> 16 March 2000. I for one would be interested in hearing any ID-frontiers
> members thoughts on the age and identify of this handsome shorebird and
> will forward comments to Herr Nuessen.
>
> The photos are on his homepage at:
>
> http://ollinuessen.online.de/
>
> Cheers, Angus Wilson
>
> ***********************************
> New York City
> tel: (212) 263-0206
> Fax: (212) 263-8276
> E-mail: wilsoa02(AT)popmail.med.nyu.edu
> Bird ID Web Site: http://www.best.com/~petrel/index.html
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date:    Thu, 8 Jun 2000 17:25:56 -0700
> From:    Jeff Gilligan <jeffgill(AT)TELEPORT.COM>
> Subject: Re: Eye-browed Sandpiper??
>
> It clearly is not a North American species.  I suggest that it s hybrid
of
> some sort.  Based on the wing length, apparent body shape, leg color, and
> absence of toe webbing, if the photo had been taken in North America
(which
> it wasn't) I would have wondered whether it was a hybrid of a Baird's
> Sandpiper and some other species.
>
> I think that hybrid calidrids are not as rare as was once assumed.  I
have
> seen what appeared to be a hybrid Sanderling (it almost certainly had
that
> species in its parentage) and either a Western Sandpiper or a
Semipalmated
> Sandpiper.  I also have photos of a bird seen by me and Gerard Lillie
that
> is an apparent hybrid between a Baird's Sandpiper and a Least Sandpiper.)
>
>
> ----------
> >From: Angus Wilson <wilsoa02(AT)ENDEAVOR.MED.NYU.EDU>
> >To: BIRDWG01(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
> >Subject: [BIRDWG01] Eye-browed Sandpiper??
> >Date: Thu, Jun 8, 2000, 1:55 PM
> >
>
> > Olli Nuessen posted an interesting message on EuroBirdNet soliciting
> > comments on a puzzling calidrid sandpiper that he photographed in Oman
on
> > 16 March 2000. I for one would be interested in hearing any
ID-frontiers
> > members thoughts on the age and identify of this handsome shorebird and
> > will forward comments to Herr Nuessen.
> >
> > The photos are on his homepage at:
> >
> > http://ollinuessen.online.de/
> >
> > Cheers, Angus Wilson
> >
> > ***********************************
> > New York City
> > tel: (212) 263-0206
> > Fax: (212) 263-8276
> > E-mail: wilsoa02(AT)popmail.med.nyu.edu
> > Bird ID Web Site: http://www.best.com/~petrel/index.html
> >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of BIRDWG01 Digest - 7 Jun 2000 to 8 Jun 2000 (#2000-109)
> *************************************************************


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Eye-browed Sandpiper??
From: Angus Wilson <wilsoa02(AT)ENDEAVOR.MED.NYU.EDU>
Date: 10 Jun 2000 3:06pm

Here are some thoughts on the interesting shorebird photographed by Olli
Neussen in Omar 16 Mar 2000
URL: <http://ollinuessen.online.de/>

The bird appears to be a small calidrid sandpiper (stint/peep) and is
perhaps most likely to be an oddly-marked Little Stint in basic (winter)
plumage. I am not sure about the age but like Peter Adriaens' suggestion
that is could be second-year bird. Its structure (bill length and shape,
long wings and leg length) seems appropriate as do the details of the wing
coverts. Although the legs seem relatively long, the plumage appears to be
flattened against the body which might expose more of the tibia than
normal. Unfortunately there are no other small shorebirds for direct size
comparison.

The broad extension of the white supercilium well-beyond the eye seems
strange for any species. The white feathering at the shoulder seems to be
due to the white flank feathers that have fluffed up and covered the carpal
bend of the wing. The white upper tail coverts also seem very puzzling and
prompt thoughts of White-rumped Sandpiper, however, the bill shape and
color seem wrong for White-rumped Sandpiper which generally has a
greenish-yellow base to the lower mandible. There are also no signs of
chevron marks on the flanks.

The bill length seems well beyond the normal range for Red-necked Stint
which would also lack the elongated look. I have trouble judging the leg
color in these photos although they look dark but perhaps not as
unambiguously black as I might have expected. Perhaps this could be a
product of the harsh light? The legs are certainly not yellowish as in
Long-toed or Temminck's Stint. In the lower photo the right leg is raised
revealing an unwebbed foot which eliminates Semipalmated Sandpiper and at a
stretch, Western Sandpiper.

I am keen to know what others think, especially those familiar with the
extent of variation in Little Stint. The questions of hybirds is difficult
because so little is known about them. Many documented hybrids are really
just presumed hybrids. The presumed White-rumped x Dunlin hybrid in the
recent Ontario Birds article by Kevin McLaughlin and Alan Wormington is an
adult in alternate-plumage, and to my mind still looks much more like a
White-rumped Sandpiper than this bird. There are two excellent color photos
of the bird by Alan Wormington.

Angus Wilson

New York City
wilsoa02(AT)endeavor.med.nyu.edu
Check out the "Ocean Wanderers" bird ID web site.
http://www.best.com/~petrel/index.html
**************************************


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Tree Swallow
From: Steven Mlodinow <SGMlod(AT)AOL.COM>
Date: 10 Jun 2000 3:55pm

Greetings All

Recently I saw an aberrant Tree Swallow that I thought some subscribers might
be interested in.

This bird, which is an adult and is probably an adult male, has considerable
white on the sides of the rump. The amount of white does not quite match what
is normally shown on a Violet-green, but it is close. If I had been standing
in Chicago instead of Seattle, that rump would have made my heart stop. The
face pattern and upper part color looked very typical for Tree Swallow, so I
doubt that this bird is a hybrid, but rather I believe it is just an abnormal
Tree Swallow.

Steve Mlodinow


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: Eye-browed Sandpiper
From: Martin Reid <upupa(AT)AIRMAIL.NET>
Date: 10 Jun 2000 5:19pm

Dear all,
I was immediately struck by the primary extension beyond the tail, plus the
primary projection beyond the tertials, reminding me strongly of the two
long-winged calidrids here in the Americas (Baird's, White-rumped).  The
bill shape is also very strange for any Old World bird - in fact its slight
expansion near the tip is very reminiscent of some long-billed Semip Sands
I see here in Texas.  I feel that these structural points rule out any
stint.  As others have pointed out, there are some things wrong with this
bird as a Baird's (the white supercilium; the pattern and cold tone to the
upperparts feathers; the white lateral uppertail coverts) and wrong for
White-rump (lack of reddish at base of mandible; dark wash across lower
breast; lack of any streaks/schevrons on underside; extent of supercilium).
I feel that the rear end of this bird would look good on a basic-plumaged
Curlew Sandpiper, as they have wings that project beyond the tail and have
a large primary projection, plus white uppertail coverts; I took the
liberty of downloading the photos and zooming in on them, and it is evident
that the outermost retrix is almost white - again something seen on Curlew
Sand; also, in the bottom image, there is what looks like a retained juv
scapular sitting immediately above the innermost great covert feather; in
my zoomed view it looks like this feather has a thin, even white outer
fringe, a thin, even, dark subterminal fringe, plus a medium-tone colour
inside the dark fringe - very like that of a juv Curlew Sand.
Now then, there are a number of things wrong for a first-basic/alternate
Curlew Sand: the bill shape, the breast pattern, and the width of the
internal marks in the upperparts feathers (and perhaps the leg length), so
I would tentatively suggest a Curlew Sand x ? hybrid.  We already know that
Curlew Sand hybridizes with Pec Sand to produce "Cox's Sand", so why could
it not occasionally breed with Little Stint?
Just a thought.
Martin
Martin Reid
upupa(AT)airmail.net
http://www.martinreid.com  or  http://www.cyberramp.net/~upupa