For most experienced birders, 95% (plus or minus) of identifications are certain. But there is that 1-5% that make us pause, whether because of the brevity/difficulty of the observation (or hearing), or similarity to another species, or atypical behavior, or other factors.
What causes you to be certain? What causes that internal or (for many listers) external question mark to become definite? And (in the case of a rarity) when do you become comfortable sharing with others? I realize the subjectivity, even non-specificity of the question, but sometimes feel like birders have a wide range of ID acceptability which dialogue might improve. Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties pasto...@princetonfreechurch.net