[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]
Posted by Graham Langley on 10:14:34 10/11/08
In Reply to: Re: Scarlet Tanager posted by Robin Diaz
Hi again,
gosh! I really didn't expect to create such a stir.
When I said "wingbar" I probably over exaggerated a little. I guess robin's description is closer.
It was a bird with light feather tips on the greater coverts creating a lighter crescent. I suspect the bird in the image is a bit like it.
Interstingly Robin says "although a male" but the Isler book I mentioned before says that its males that show this feature whereas Sibley suggests its females. Its probably sub adult and/or basic plumage birds in truth?
David's comments are really helpful too. The back was pretty uniform greenish. there efinitely wasn't a contrast between the back/nape and the head as he suggests might occur in Western. I didn't note the rump colour (sorry UK spelling!) so I am unaware if tere was contrast with the back.
I do agree with David that soft part colours aren't secure in fall because of young birds and because non-breeding birds lose some pigments in these areas too. Quite often they look different colours in different lights too.
My conclusion is, as first thought, a slightly odd Scarlet Tanager of female type plumage showing a bit of feather tip lightness in the coverts. It really didn't have the white bar(s) I've seen on Western birds in Vancouver and California.
Thanks so much for all the comments and advice.
Hopefully I'll bump into some of you next time i'm lucky enough to be in Miami.
Graham
Than
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]