[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]
Posted by Joel Wilcox on 06:14:08 09/15/07
In Reply to: Re: Hooded Oriole posted by Joel Wilcox
Thank you Rafael, Trey, Colin, Georgiana and Bill (Ihave your book!). No, I did not know that young spot-breasteds lack spots. But the bird still seems like a possible hooded, though now I realize that would be amazing.
Here is the story: I am a 56-year-old college prof, and (despite the post) rather cautious about making knowledge claims. I got a very good look at this bird--though without a binocular--from distances of c. 10-30 feet. I had to leave to go to work (at Barry U., one block away). Once in the office I did not get around to looking the bird up (in Stokes) until a few minutes before class; so, I was hurried, hence the brief posts.
The thing that struck me immediately was the black area on the lower face and throat area--very large and striking, and much more "rounded" than in the picture of the juvenile spot-breasted in Sibley. But the head/throat markings did look exactly like the photo of the hooded in Stokes (though "my" bird was orange, but I guess that is possible). Another way to say it: the black area was much less "spread out" than the photo of the 1st year in Sibley.
Having said all that, I reallize that it is vastly more likely to be a young spot-breasted than a hooded. In particular, the color of the coverts should help determine--I now don't remember enough about them, and did not write anything down. Anyway, thanks again. BTW, I do plan to start carrying a small binocular and a camera regularly!
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]