Saturday, August 7, 2010

The Warbler and the Vireo

I took a quick walk this morning in the Ojibway Prairie. Today was much more quiet than yesterday, but I was only there for a 1/2 hour. I basically saw nothing until I heard an Eastern Towhee off the beaten path, so I walked in its direction and I could not help but notice the looping flight of an Eastern Peewee Flycatcher. I snapped a few photos of it.



Then, in the same oak tree I noticed a Black Capped Chickadee, so I tried 'pishing' it to bring it closer into view. Then suddenly, a few tiny birds started flying around very actively and I took a few shots. I think I've photographed a female Blackburnian Warbler along with a Philadelphia Vireo (lifer). According to Tom Hince's book on birding this area, Vireos start returning in Mid August to Mid September. I think these two birds are jumping the gun a little!



***Update: This is a Warbling Vireo! Thanks Blake!



As usual, I might be mistaken on the identification so please let me know what you think (It could be a Warbling Vireo as well). Please excuse the lackluster photos. I should use flash more often, and whenever I point my lens up beyond parallel to the ground skyward, I get these grossly underexposed photos.

Good Birding! And Save Ojibway!
Dwayne

6 comments:

  1. I thought you were going to talk about a duel between two birds!

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  2. Blake, the title was a little dramatic sounding... I agree. But really I was not sure if I correctly identified them, so I just refered to them by their obvious bird grouping. The Warbling and Philadelphia Vireos are quite similar. Do you think that is a Philly?

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  3. Dwayne, I was just being funny!
    Actually I think the vireo may just be a fall-plumaged Warbling. They tend to show more yellow and green in the fall. There is not enough yellow on the throat for Philly, and the eyeline seems more like Warbling.

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  4. :-) Thanks Blake. Arhhh ... I'm working around the house so my Sibley Field Guide was not easily found when I made this posting. I'm continually amazed by your keen observation. I've since found my field guide and see the subtle differences you pointed out.

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  5. Hi Dwayne,

    I agree with Blake on the ID of the Vireo. It is also worth noting that Philly Vireos don't usually show up till later in August (3rd or 4th week). Cheers!

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  6. Thanks to all for the updates. I should update the posting. :^)

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