Posted by Colby Neuman (63.50.218.29) on October 16, 2000 at 21:45:43:
I agree with Ryan concerning the identification of both songbirds. I agree that the first bird
may be a Bell's Vireo, although I don't have much experience with the West Coast race. The overall
structure and posture of the bird would seem to fit a vireo (it is almost kinglet like in shape). The
dusky lores, with lighter area above the lores seems to fit a Bell's Vireo. However, the lower eye arc
seems pretty bold, compared to the area directly above the eye (where there should be an eye arc of a bigger
magnitude on a Bells Vireo?). The only bird that feels right to me is a Bell's Vireo. It is certainly
a good quiz bird, whatever it turns out to be.
The second bird seems to fit a MacGillivray's Warbler. Although, the bib is not clearly defined, I think it
is not out of the range of variation within Mac. Warblers. I think Ryan covered all the good points that
dealt with field marks of this bird. Another supporting factor is the location of this bird. This bird was
photographed in a DARK area (a bush) where it appears a flash was used. This is where I'd expect to find
MacGillivray's Warblers. Although, I'm not saying other birds don't inhabit dark places, the combination of
both the field marks present and the location seem to suggest MacGillivray's Warbler.