Possible "Pink-sided" Junco
Is this "Pink-sided" Junco of the Rocky Mountain breeding race "Mearnsi"? Seen at my
feeders Feb 20, 2013. Prince George's County, MD. I have reported them in MD before (twice I think, once was at our house also in late winter), but I think I know more now than I did then. I have never been able to get any photos until today. I just read more about this, and the ssp. seems to be exceptionally rare out of normal range, and poorly documented. There is a good discussion here www.oceanwanderers.com/JuncoID.html . It may also be Cassiar Junco, but I don't think so due to pattern of brown and diffuse separation.
Notes:
1. Head was different color (gray) than back (brown), and scaps, but the separation of color was diffuse, not crisp as would normally be seen in "Oregon" race. Also, the color of head was light gray, much lighter than "Oregon". Also, the gray head color extended down to top of chest, as if wearing a bib.
2. The degree of brown is not extensive, and I think on this bird is limited to back, scaps, and some on its neck just below the cheek/malar area. I've seen photos of unusual slate-colored with a lot of brown, that appear to be on the extreme range for brown, and it seems this may be limited to females and hatch year birds during fall or early winter. We are in mid-to late-winter now.
3. The sides of this bird had obvious pink/cinnamon color that came close to meeting at breast but did not go all the way across (see 4th photo).
4. The lore area was darker (black) than gray of surrounding head, and most noticeable around its bill. Photos do not show this well, and for some reason it appeared this characteristic was more evident on left side of bird than on right. Possibly due to molt?
5. White in tail was prominent, but I have nothing that shows this. I will try to re-find the bird and get a photo of this if possible, and would also like to try to get a chip note recording if possible!
Possible "Pink-sided" Junco
Is this "Pink-sided" Junco of the Rocky Mountain breeding race "Mearnsi"? Seen at my
feeders Feb 20, 2013. Prince George's County, MD. I have reported them in MD before (twice I think, once was at our house also in late winter), but I think I know more now than I did then. I have never been able to get any photos until today. I just read more about this, and the ssp. seems to be exceptionally rare out of normal range, and poorly documented. There is a good discussion here www.oceanwanderers.com/JuncoID.html . It may also be Cassiar Junco, but I don't think so due to pattern of brown and diffuse separation.
Notes:
1. Head was different color (gray) than back (brown), and scaps, but the separation of color was diffuse, not crisp as would normally be seen in "Oregon" race. Also, the color of head was light gray, much lighter than "Oregon". Also, the gray head color extended down to top of chest, as if wearing a bib.
2. The degree of brown is not extensive, and I think on this bird is limited to back, scaps, and some on its neck just below the cheek/malar area. I've seen photos of unusual slate-colored with a lot of brown, that appear to be on the extreme range for brown, and it seems this may be limited to females and hatch year birds during fall or early winter. We are in mid-to late-winter now.
3. The sides of this bird had obvious pink/cinnamon color that came close to meeting at breast but did not go all the way across (see 4th photo).
4. The lore area was darker (black) than gray of surrounding head, and most noticeable around its bill. Photos do not show this well, and for some reason it appeared this characteristic was more evident on left side of bird than on right. Possibly due to molt?
5. White in tail was prominent, but I have nothing that shows this. I will try to re-find the bird and get a photo of this if possible, and would also like to try to get a chip note recording if possible!