[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]
Posted by Marcello Gomes on 13:16:47 07/14/13
A few days ago while I was on a walk around Riverbend park in Jupiter i caught a glimpse and took a photo of what it SEEMS an immature bird. I could not have gotten a better shot because birds don't pose on demand. Not a bad shot but not so clear on head coloring and markings. You can see the reddish brown eyes which could fit either species' profile (I'm aware the lighting can change things and it is tricky). You can't see the upper parts since these birds are never low on a branch or near the ground. Looking at its bill it looks lighter and still developing its maturity color. I could not see the hook at the end of the bill (blurry spot). As you probably already know i have been taken many shots of both of them and I think - i repeat: I THINK i can narrow my question between these two vireos and no other birds.
Background info: Red-Eyed Vireos have been reported to have nested for the past 3 years in the same area and not too far from there I found a pair of Black-Whiskered Vireos about a month ago. One was singing and the other had nesting material (spider web twisted around bill and plant fibers (photos posted on my Flickr site about a month ago) - scroll down page and you'll see the evidence.
I did attempt to do my own research... Here's the description about immature Black-Whiskered Vireos and immature Red-Eyed Vireos according to the National Geographic Complete Birds of North America (5th edition, edited by Jonathan Alderfer)- page 415 "Immature Red-Eyed Vireos have brown iris; often extensive yellow or olive-yellow on under tail coverts and flanks, which may extend up to the bend of the wing".
"Immature Black-Whiskered Vireos...duller than adult, with buffier (yellow-beige) underparts". In the photo, there's definitely some yellow on the lower underpart and faint yellow towards the belly.
If anyone is quite familiar with these two species and willing to opine, i'd appreciate it. You can send me an email directly if you prefer at: marcellogomes@bellsouth.net or post a response on TAS Birdboard.
On that same day I heard a White-eyed Vireo singing and a Carolina Wren was actively responding it with some powerful sounds. A few moments later, the flew right above me on to a Palm tree and posed nicely for a photo. There were about 10 Wild Turkeys roaming the premises as well.
If you follow the link to my photos and if you care... I have also added some South American bird species I took photos of. They are mostly ID shots. Some of these species are found in Texas, some resemble North American species, some are already present or introduced in Central America, and some are quite unique down below the equator line.
Marcello
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]