Hi Ray,

Yes, you're right:  Mourning Warbler.  You've captured a perfect side view,
so we can see the stocky body shape, with relatively long undertail coverts
extending back along the tail (Orange-crowned Warbler would look more
compact and its tail would extend farther past the undertail coverts).  The
relatively thick bill and the strong legs and feet on your bird are also
better points for Mourning.  The slight pale crescents above and below the
eye are good for either species at this season, but Orange-crowned would
show more of a dark line through the eye as well.  The pattern of the
underparts on this bird would also suggest Mourning.  Finally, the date is a
critical point: It's not unusual for migrant Mourning Warblers to be coming
through in late August, but this would be exceptionally early for
Orange-crowned, which shouldn't show up here much before mid-September.

Kenn Kaufman
Oak Harbor, OH

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ray Silvey" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 11:21 PM
Subject: [Ohio-birds] Help with ID of warbler from Pickerington Ponds


> Last Saturday on my way back from viewing the Mississippi Kites I stopped
> at Pickerington Ponds and had a look at what I thought was
> an Orange-Crowned  Warbler.  After reviewing the photo though, I am not so
> sure.  I am not used to seeing so much gray in the head.  My other thought
> is
> maybe a Mourning ?
>
> http://www.raysrock.com/warbler_unknown_1DS3_13321_pickerington_ponds_oh.jpg
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> Ray Silvey
> jumlikpo at yahoo period com
>

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