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Hi Julie- There are not many warbler species with streaked flanks like yours. I think you might be right about a Pine Warbler- greenish-olive above, indistinct streaks on side (although they seem a bit more distinct towards the tail in your bird), stout bill, white under-tail coverts which you can just see in this image. Pine Warblers have an overall look or jizz which is I have to say I'm not getting strongly from your bird. It will be interesting as always to hear from others.
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Hi Julie. My vote is for immature Magnolia Warbler and ruling out Pine Warbler along with all others IMO. I see yellow that is brighter than Pine (IMO), yellow cheeks (not present on Pine) I see a gray head contrasting with an olive green back (not present on Pine) and I think that I see white undertail coverts showing (also not present on Pine).
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Looks like an immature Magnolia to me as well.
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Dan- Assume you are assuming a young bird, which it may not be. Pines have white undertails and adult Pines also have olive backs. I agree the flank stripes look a Magnolia and that one was another thought, and the yellow is magnolia-like, but the head of this bird does not look right for a young Maggy.
Do you have any other images Julie- of tail perhaps?
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Originally Posted by
John Chardine
Dan- Assume you are assuming a young bird, which it may not be. Pines have white undertails and adult Pines also have olive backs. I agree the flank stripes look a Magnolia and that one was another thought, and the yellow is magnolia-like, but the head of this bird does not look right for a young Maggy.
Do you have any other images Julie- of tail perhaps?
John, Yes, young bird is what I ment. The Yellow cheek and the yellow value seem to be Magnolia to me and not Pine. My Nat. Geo doesn't show Pine having a gray head contrasting with an olive back, but guides can be wrong and I am sure that you have much more experience with these species than I.
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Here's a shot of a Magnolia Warbler I took at South Padre Island in late September. The light from my flash is obviously colder, but it shows many of the same marks as Julie's bird including extensive and bright yellow on the throat and underparts, mostly yellow lower mandible, eye ring, grayish head, greenish back, wing bars, and reasonably strong flank streaks. Duller immature Magnolia vs. Prairie can actually cause problems, but this bird looks like a solid Magnolia to me. I guess the long shot would be Kirtland's which would have the fine wing bars, but the green back and lack of markings across the breast aren't right for that species.
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I was just looking in the Sibley Guide and noticed the "pale gray neckband" on the 1st winter Magnolia Warbler. Is that apparent in the above image? If you all agree now, I will call this bird a 1st winter Magnolia. Thanks John, Dan, and Paul!
Last edited by Julie Brown; 01-06-2013 at 09:30 AM.
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Originally Posted by
Julie Brown
I was just looking in the Sibley Guide and noticed the "pale gray neckband" on the 1st winter Magnolia Warbler. Is that apparent in the above image? If you all agree now, I will call this bird a 1st winter Magnolia. Thanks John, Dan, and Paul!
Magnolia for me
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Originally Posted by
Julie Brown
It could be the different light, but my bird just looks more olive brown, the eye ring is less distinct, and the wing bars and streaking is not as bold compared to Paul's Magnolia Warbler. It is amazing how much variation there is-the challenge of fall warbler ID!
There is a lot of variation in some of these birds between age, sex, and individuals. Light, especially in photos, makes a huge difference in perceived color. You are correct that your bird is a first winter and probably a female. I suspect my bird is either a first winter male or an adult winter female. Some fun, eh?