Posted by David Fix (216.100.37.229) on September 19, 2000 at 12:55:06:
I'm unconvinced this is either a BTGreen or a Townsend's X Hermit warbler. I think it's time to address a matter no one has brought up, unless I missed it in an earlier post here. If this is in fact a Townsend's X Hermit, it ranks among the rarest warblers ever seen in California. (Huh? Is Fix not only wrong once more but has Lost It to boot?) .. Has anyone ever seen and had confirmed a cross of this parentage that looked like this? Given what treatment there is in the literature and portraiture, I am under the impression that all such hybrids have looked most like Hermits in facial detail. Has anyone ever really positively ID'd a recessive Townsend's X Hermit? For that is what this must be given what I know. Why are such birds not illustrated nor discussed (??--can someone come forward with a correction and a handy source for us?) I too have thought that at least a touch of yellowish in the vent is a clinching mark (all else working in the favor of the ID) for BTGreen. Although the left-hand image is flashed-out, if that's there, it doesn't show. I also would suggest that the supposed 'hollow auricular' is perhaps true, but perhaps partly an illusion created by the tips of a twig interposing into the picture (right-hand image). I am not ready to conclude that the bird indeed has an unstreaked back, as the plumage overall looks a little lax and central streaks might be lost to view. What is there, really, that is outside the range of a Townsend's Warbler? I offer these impressions hoping that one of you will take it a step or two farther.