Why?
Well, the all powerful and almost Orwellian Cornellians have this to say about the sexual dimorphism of this species,
"Female similar to male but duller ..."
(So tempting to take that and run ... but I would be toast and I know it)
" ...and without black markings."
I know my real birder pals will either confirm or condemn my ID so i await your opinion.
The red maple with it's new seed buds seemed to be the target for these warblers. There were some definite defensive tactics going on too.
The woods here are filling with warblers and the hawk population seems to have jumped up lately too, so rest assured that your birds arrived as scheduled, my snowbound friends.
These shots were taken Friday on the way home from work.
Something big crossed my path that day too, just before sundown and I have a video that is not for the faint of heart.
I need a fast connection for that two minute video upload, so I won't be able to post it until Monday, but I plan to go to work extra early so I can do so.
That's Monday, not Sunday. ..Not sure what Sunday's post will be, but something always seems to pop up doesn't it?
That's Monday, not Sunday. ..Not sure what Sunday's post will be, but something always seems to pop up doesn't it?
15 comments:
wow --great shots. Cain't wait fer the viseo.
We have seen an eagle on an urban phone pole---very urban location. Odd.
Nice series of photos. These guys are usually one of the first warblers to turn up in the spring. They typically arrive before the trees have leafed out. I've watched them picking off very early moths one after another. I guess they view moths as a kind of warbler popcorn.
FC, you forgot to add the old name "Myrtle" and my personal favorite "Butterbutt".
MyamuhNative
(who is suffering from an unusual lack of birds at her feeders -except for the bluegraygnatcatchers and a lone painted bunting)
I've seen more than usual of these little birds eating sunflower seeds from my deck rail. I always call them yellow finches though. Some of these little guys look so similar that I've given up with a positive ID.
I did see a Ruby-Crested Kinglet for the first time right before Christmas. The females look just like the "yellow finches," but the males have a brilliant red crown that is not noticed unless the wind is ruffling it upwards. They're pugnacious little birds that jump up and down and tap on my window for attention... or food.
Guessing the birds eating sunflower seeds are pine siskins, maybe, yellow-rumped warblers aren't known to frequent feeders except on rare occasions. Ruby-crowned kinglets are cool, we had one last year on our Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the first time. Usually have long since left for warmer parts by December.
I am jealous of that painted bunting and your warblers.
Caroline in the Black Hills.
Pretty bird
I have not ventured into the sexual dicolorism thing, but those are definitely butterbutts. They are probably the most common bird in Minnesota, in April- May and again in September.
I kind of wish you hadn't said "Yellow Junkinthetrunk Warbler" because now I'm going to have to call it that all the time...
I think it's a girl, but I could be wrong. (And frequently am.)
There is something addictive about the fervor behind a birders quest to fill the list, annually and life long. But not a bad one.
Aunty,
Lake nearby?
Doug,
It's nice that you still admire birds when they eat so many of your favorite critters!!
Myamuh,
I tell ya, a single painted bunting is worth a 100 of these.
Susan Rose,
Your feeder sounds like a busy place.
Caroline,
What's missing here are the cedar waxwings. I havent seen a big flock of those in a long time.
Three Collie,
So blue a sky after your snowy grey pics!
Deb,
Figures I would get the everyman of warblers!
Rurality,
Nah, I bet you are right, pic number 1 (girl?)has less black markings, pic 3 and 4 have a lot of black (boy?)
I never mind bird corrections. Wait til Julie Zick drops in, then we'll know.
Robert,
I don't have it ... the fervor that is.
No list and I have no idea how many different birds I've seen.
We call em *rumpers* here.
;-)
Something big, huh? Alligator? Bear? WHAT? Fine, I'll cool my heels until Monday. Enjoy what's left of the weekend.
I'm so envious!! We have these in our oak tree right now and all I've gotten is a bunch of bad shots with the camera.
Saloon door bangs open, little blogger in boots with big sixguns stomps in, the place goes quiet...
Shoots twice through the floor and says,
"I have no idea what sex your durn warbler is."
Actually, the first two photos are iffy. These are all immature birds, and sometimes the only hint of their sex is on the upper tail coverts. By that, I can guess that the bottom two photos depict males (see the nice bluish uppertail coverts?). The top two photos are anyone's guess since you can't see any distinguishing features. They look a little henny.
Laura,
I like that, short and to the point.
Miz S,
Nope, none of those. heehee
Dani,
I got a bunch of bad shots too ... I just didn't post em! Delete ad infinitum ... LOL'
These are cropped quite a bit too.
Julie,
Well, it was a grand entrance anyway!
I like your diagnosis as it fits with mine thereby making me look smart.
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