I think it would be hard to put a definitive ID on this bird. The streaking
on the sides looks very heavy to me. The undertail looks pretty white, but
we are seeing it from an angle and are unable to see the entire area.
Another needed field mark, the rump is not visible. I also find it
difficult to see the pushed in bill of the Larue bird due to the angle the
head is facing. Using Troy's scale, I would place this bird in the
intermediate category. What I mean by intermediate is using the scale from
Declan Troy's paper
(http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Auk/v102n01/p0082-p0096.pdf ). Sibley has a
pretty good explanation and drawings to illustrate what Troy is saying.
See:
http://www.sibleyguides.com/2008/01/a-character-index-for-redpoll-identification/
Basically Troy looks at three characters on the redpolls, undertail
markings, side streaking, and rump markings. He gives point values for the
extent of markings in these three areas. You total the markings from the
three areas and then see where the total falls on his scale. This has been
pretty useful. I have seen quite a few pale redpolls this winter and most
fall in this intermediate category. I had one that scored 13, just outside
the hoary cut-off. I did not feel comfortable calling any of these
intermediate birds hoary's. The hoary redpoll that was recently at my
feeder I scored a 16. You would be surprised how difficult it is to get
good looks at all three characters. With my hoary I was able to see all
characters. getting photos of each took some time.
When you start reading about hoary identification there is a lot of
variation and overlap, especially when dealing with the southern hoary
(Carduelis hornemanni exilipes). It would be nice to get more photos of
the Larue bird. I think it would be difficult to put a name on it from a
single photo. Getting photos of the rump, a clear view of the entire
undertail covert area, and a good side view of the head showing the shape of
the bill would help. I think that this might clear it up a bit. Just my
thoughts.
John Pogacnik
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sean Williams" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2011 8:38 PM
Subject: [Ohio-birds] Hoary Redpoll in Larue?
> All,
>
> Take a look at Steve's redpoll that he posted today from Larue.
>
> http://sjlarue.smugmug.com/Unsorted/OhioBirds/16108559_K6usy#1221067050_7FQn
> F
>
> It's got several features that look Hoary to me. Since I get relatively
> little experience with redpolls and they vary immensely, I'd like to hear
> some comments. Here's what I noticed:
>
> 1. Bill appears very petite, and pushed into the face. The bill of a
> Common
> Redpoll, if turned around into the head, should extend past the eye. This
> bird's bill looks like it would barely reach it.
>
> 2. Undertail coverts appear pure white. Common Redpolls should have some
> streaking on the undertail coverts.
>
> 3. It has a large tuft of feathers over the upper mandible (maxilla). This
> is a feature that is useful in identification as I am seeing in field
> guides
> and pictures, which good for Hoary and not for Common.
>
> 4. Long tail. The tail projects far on this bird, and it should be a
> little
> shorter on a Common.
>
> 5. Very pale on the head, neck, and back of the bird. Lots of white.
>
> 6. While streaking is present on the sides, the streaks look thin and
> taper
> off posteriorly. A Common's streaks look thicker and extend farther
> posteriorly.
>
> Look at this picture where I compare some of the above dimensions:
>
> https://picasaweb.google.com/seanbirder/RedpollEdited#5585953438261981250
>
> Also, Sibley has a nice article on his webite about redpoll ID:
> http://www.sibleyguides.com/2007/12/redpoll-identification/
>
> Thanks for comments!
>
>
> Good birding,
> Sean
>
>
>
>
> ---
> Sean Williams, '11
> Undergraduate of Ornithology of Dr. Jed Burtt
> Ohio Wesleyan University
> HWCC 724
> Delaware, OH 43015
> 617-470-4094
>
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