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Posted by Bill Boeringer on 09:55:02 12/05/10
I birded Barnes yesterday morning to see what was around. No rarities, but a pretty decent day including 5 warbler species (Palm, Prairie, Parula, Yellow-rumped, and Pine), Painted Bunting, 2 Blue-headed Vireos, and 4 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
I also stopped at a couple of places at UM. At the canal alongside the parking garage, I added Redstart and Orange-crowned Warblers to the day list, plus a very odd warbler that had to be some kind of hybrid.
Initially, I saw only the upper part of the breast, and saw deep yellow and heavy black striping. I thought Magnolia, but the head pattern didn't match up right, although I didn't have great looks as it moved around fairly high in the tree. I know Maggies can fool you sometimes, and as it moved I saw the fairly tell-tale large white "panel" on the wing. Except that the yellow ended fairly abruptly, and the belly and undertail were white. I maneuvered myself to get a look at the tail, and to my shock it was not a Magnolia's tail! The tail was white with black edgings--more like a Prairie's.
I excitedly started thinking about Kirtland's, and looking at Sibley the tail did match, but the head just seemed wrong, and the white wing panel and heavy streaking didn't fit at all. The bird then flew off.
Later, looking at possible Magnolia hybrids, I came across reference to a record of Magnolia X Yellow-throated hybrid, which would seem to fit the tail pattern, and the fairly abrupt end of yellow above the belly, while keeping the white wing panel and the heavy streaking. I think this is very possibly what I saw. Or not....
Oh, and of course I didn't bring my camera with me!
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