Hi,
Yesterday's cold brought dozens of Juncos to my feeders with at least 1 good representative of each of the 5 expected subspecies: hyemalis, caniceps, shufeldti, aikenii, and mearnsi (slate-colored, gray-headed, Oregon, white-winged and pink-sided). My recent renewed research into the subspecies expected in Colorado (via Pyle, Sibley, Rising, BNA and JuncoID <http://www.oceanwanderers.com/JuncoID.html> on the web) has me doubting I have ever seen another potentially expected subspecies, that of cismontanus or the Cassiar's Junco. Understanding all the discussion on this possible race/hybrid/intergrade and its arguably wide range of plumage characteristics, I believe I had what might be a good candidate for a HY male Cassiar Junco. - Tertials have grown edging; which I believe would make it HY (or first winter) in all Junco cases (but would love to hear feedback if others feel this isn't always the case) - Grayish flanks with brown tinge - Definite hooded effect; bib coming down below normal concave line of hyemalis nominate subspecies; and hood being somewhat darker than rest; although not as remarkable as Sibley pic might suggest - but that appears to be an extreme. - Brownish wash on mantle - The Oregon group should have brown/cinnamon/pink wash on flanks and no gray; so this should rule out that group as I understand it, and the only choice should be between a hyemalis ssp or cismontanus as I figure it. Anyway, interested in what others might think about this, knowing full well that giants in the field (Floyd, Leukering, Jaramillo, Kaufman, and others) don't seem to agree on many aspects, and not wanting to start a war here on CoBirds. Just wondering if others feel that I might finally consider the possibility that I have seen a Cassiar in my backyard! J Pictures: http://www.sendpix.com/albums/11020216/160215000000001e83bd6454d7a8606c2c2bf 434c1c2/ Thanks Jeff J Jones ( <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]) Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands -- 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.
