Greetings All,
Thanks to Cole for his extensive commentary onhis meadowlark and sapsucker. David is quite right, in that migrant YBSapsuckers would be expected to peak in late October and November. However,Cole is quite right in that earlier birds are certainly known, with Augustrecords from e-cen Oregon (for instance). Most 1st year RN Sapsuckers are stillmolting from juv to first winter plumage in October, especially this early. Tim Smart and I had ajuvenile RN Sapsucker at Crow Valley about 10 days ago that had very littleadult plumage on the head, and the underlying color of the head was ratherblonde, causing me to think YB Sapsucker at first; it also lacked a red-nape (bymid-October, all RN Saps should have red on nape, but this bird was seen on 1October). However, the back pattern was that of a RN Sapsucker, and otherfeatures pointed towards RN Sap. I called it a RN Sap, though theoretically, itcould’ve been a hybrid. The description of the Norma’s Grove bird soundslike that of a YB Sapsucker, however the lack of mention of nape color is worrisome,and would normally lead off the discussion in any YB vs RN Sapsucker IDdiscussion. The crown color is suggestive, but not definitive (as noted above).Though most RN Sapsuckers have nice white rows on their back, even 1stcycle birds in October, even some adults can have more messy back patterns. Fora discussion of these points (with many photos), see the Nov/Dec 2006 issue ofBirding. The Norma’s Grove bird sure sounds like a YB Sapsucker, but in myopinion the description is still not definitive. Of course, that is my opinion, which is notnecessarily correct (cf., my ID of the WB Nuthatch at Crow Valley that day). My experience with Eastern Meadowlark inearly/mid-fall plumage is not fresh (extensive, but ancient). The marksmentioned seem suggestive, but not definitive. Indeed, I’ve been struck by therich rust tones on the dorsal plumage of many of the fresh Western MeadowlarksI’ve looked at this fall. Though flank color/pattern and overall darkness aresuggestive, the key detailed descriptions of wing-covert, uppertail covert, andtail pattern were not described. Unlike sapsuckers, I have not extensivelystudied fall meadowlarks, so can not comment further. Steven Mlodinow Longmont, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
