Mike's comments reminded me of a blog I wrote for the ABA a little while ago. My main point was that we can perhaps use uncertainty as a "field mark"; not being sure can help support an identification. I think the Ross's/Snow question is a good example of this; when you have to ask yourself which one it is, you've got your answer. The blog post is available here:
http://blog.aba.org/2011/07/ive-got-it-narrowed-down-to-two.html
Blake Mathys
---------------------------------
http://blakemathys.com/
---------------------------------
> Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2011 09:31:04 -0500
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] Snoss's geese
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Greetings... I suppose the Snow and Ross's Goose issue and the
> Canada/Cackling Goose issue probably produce some sightings and
> reports that could go one way or the other, depending on the observer
> and his or her knowledge and experience. There are a number of species
> groups that the same could be said of. Some of the gulls come to mind.
>
> Jay Stenger pointed out to me that one useful thing about the Sibley
> Guide that is sometimes overlooked is that Sibley provides average
> weights for the different species in pounds, ounces, and grams.
> Sometimes it's helpful to get a sense of the weight or "heft" of
> particular species. Sometimes it's not. But in the case of Snow Goose
> (Lesser's at an average of 5.3 pounds; Greaters at 7.4 pounds) and
> Ross's Geese (2.7 pounds), I think the difference is enough that if
> one is faced with a question of whether it's a Snow or Ross's Goose,
> it's quite possible that given how relatively dainty a "true" Ross's
> Goose should be, the question almost answers itself: if we have to ask
> the question, it's probably not a pure or true (or however one wants
> to define it) Ross's Goose. The same would seem to be useful, but not
> diagnostic, for Canada/Cackling.
>
> I'm not saying it's the only way or the best way, but it's one way
> that I've found helpful from time to time.
>
> Take care,
> ---Mike Busam
> Butler County
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
>
> Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
> Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
> Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.
>
> You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
> http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS
> Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]
______________________________________________________________________
Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.
You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS
Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]
|
