Nikon January Facebook Quiz!
I know, I know, your first thought is probably cursing me for putting a bird in here with water streaming all over it. Yes, natural elements like water and wind can certainly change the perception of how a bird looks and make the ID even more confusing. Nevertheless, some key characteristics in the photo can drastically narrow down the field of options.
First off, this photo was digiscoped with a Nikon 85mm EDG Fieldscope at Estero Llano Grande State Park in the Rio Grande Valley, TX. Good friend and Nikon ProStaffer, Shawneen Finnegan, was standing next to me as we watched a host of birds come in and out of the water drip. This bird is actually a common wintering resident in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The smaller body and long tail with a cleft tells us that this bird is mostly likely in the warbler/finch category when talking about size. Finches tend to have tails with sharp clefts, but the tails are often not so long. This tail looks long to me, given the photograph has been taken from a head-on perspective. As always, the bill is vital for ID with any winged creature we are looking at. This bird has a rather long, thin and pointed bill. Finches of all kinds have thicker, conical bills. I think with those few attributes alone we can safely call this bird a warbler.
This bird photographed above is not the same bird and most likely a different race, but certainly the same species in question. Orange-crowned Warblers are all over Texas in winter and these birds can be found foraging for insects in variety of habitats. Females and juveniles are grayer in appearance which puts this bottom photo in that category. The actual quiz bird is probably a male because he was bright green throughout his body and the ventral streaking was faint.
Often enough, Tennessee Warblers can look near identical for those who are not accustomed to both species. One easy trick will help you separate these species. The largest key is that Orange-crowned Warblers have a green/yellow vent and Tennessee Warblers have a white vent area. This holds true for both sexes and all ages for both species.
Tennessee Warblers migrate heavily through the middle part of the United States and Orange-crowneds can be found all over the US in migration. Best of luck out there and be safe as the new year turns over. Good Birding!
Often enough, Tennessee Warblers can look near identical for those who are not accustomed to both species. One easy trick will help you separate these species. The largest key is that Orange-crowned Warblers have a green/yellow vent and Tennessee Warblers have a white vent area. This holds true for both sexes and all ages for both species.
Tennessee Warblers migrate heavily through the middle part of the United States and Orange-crowneds can be found all over the US in migration. Best of luck out there and be safe as the new year turns over. Good Birding!
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