At least one apparent Black Phoebe arrived at my friend's property just east of Canon City 8 days ago. Subsequently a second apparent Black Phoebe joined the first one at that historic nesting location as did a Say's Phoebe.
Yesterday I found several more phoebes at another location. Today I was able to spend more time and identify one of these as having plumage intermediate between Black and Eastern Phoebes--white feathers invade the upper chest above the 'V' plus some white feathering under the chin while otherwise having field marks of a Black Phoebe. This possible hybrid Black-Eastern Phoebe was in a location where another intermediate plumaged phoebe and an apparent Black Phoebe nested last year--and the nesting was successful. I have posted some very good photos of this bird on my blog at BirdsAndNature <http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com> There was also a phoebe that appeared to be a Says' and another that appeared to be an Eastern at this location. Given the probable hybridizing that has been occurring between Black and Eastern Phoebes in this area for some years I am reluctant to call a bird a specific phoebe species without closer observation as I believe there are likely some number of hybrid phoebes returning here. l would note that other apparent Black Phoebes wandering around other eastern Colorado locations might also be hybrids. Due to other commitments I haven't surveyed all the usual phoebe locations yet. SeEtta Moss Canon City http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com -- 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] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en To unsubscribe, reply using "remove me" as the subject.
