There are a number of reasons why I decided to take on this project. My first reason has to do with my interest in birds. This began shortly after moving to Victoria ten and a half years ago. With our house backing onto a wooded area, the chirping of birds is a familiar sound all year long. I often glance out the window to see birds of all forms in the yard throughout the day. Frequently I will pull out the Birds of Victoria or Birds of North America reference guides we have on hand. Unfortunately, the drawings in the first aren’t overly helpful for identification and the number of entries in the second is overwhelming. My second reason has to do with a photography course I took a number of years ago. Since that time I have been trying to think of a practical reason to buy a new camera. Taking pictures of birds requires a powerful zoom lens which my previous point-and-shoot camera could not accommodate. Perfect! My final reason was my desire to take on a new project to welcome in 2011. Hence, bird of the day was born.



Saturday, October 1, 2011

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Dendroica nigrescens  

female
Appearance:
Small songbird
Black-marked, gray upperparts
White face and underparts
Black streaks on flanks
Black mask and crown
Male has black throat
Dark wings with two white wingbars
Small yellow spot in front of eye
Black bill and legs

Listen to its call.
immature

I have to admit, the bird to the left really had me stumped. I couldn't find anything like it in the bird books. So, as usual, I contacted a birding authority for advice. She identified it as a young Black-throated Gray Warbler; apparently only the adults have black throats. In spite her expertise, I'm still a bit hesitant about this identification because of its yellow-tinged underparts. So, please feel free to correct (or confirm) this classification.

Learn more about the Black-throated Gray Warbler.
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1 comment:

  1. Dianne C., Humano-gaianOctober 2, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    Maybe it is the lighting that made it look yellower? I don't see anything else it could be with those stripey sides and face markings.

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