I went to Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Southwest of Fort Collins to scout for this weekends bird survey. Towards the top of the Power Line Trail, I saw small group of Rock Wrens scurrying around some boulders. The fifth of six that I saw had a very dark breast pattern that was similar to the "vest" pattern of a Wood Pewee or Olive-sided Flycatcher except it was black not olive-y. In the moment, I dismissed it as being a juvenile Rock Wren undergoing a molt or something. The bird flew away to the hillside South of me. As I processed what I had seen, I realized "that wasn't a Rock Wren" what is it? It seemed slightly larger, had a "different" posture and the bill was slightly larger and more curved. I kept a laser eye on the area but only had distant views as it popped in and out of sight on the far hillside. There was one view I had of its tail that showed white, not buffy tail spots on the briefly spread tail. Once it flew over me towards the slope North of me and I had the impression of a white supercilium. Although, I can't be certain that wasn't just wishful thinking. Anyway, it landed on the power line near me where I got exactly one photo.
I have zero experience with Cactus Wren so I'm just not certain what to call it. At the same time I can't think of anything else it could be e.g. Thrasher. The chest seems to dark to me for Cactus Wren but bill shape, tail pattern and size seem good. I posted 3 photos on Flickr, one the original untouched and another I adjusted the "shadows" for a better look at its chest/belly and a Rock Wren that was there. Adjusted Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/122221383@N05/14609200325/ Untouched Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/122221383@N05/14608649512/ Rock Wren: https://www.flickr.com/photos/122221383@N05/14629229703/ Please if anybody can help identify this bird I would appreciate it. If it is a Cactus Wren it would be quite the remarkable sighting. That is why I want to throw it out there for the whole world to see, or at least, the birding world. Cheers, David Wade Fort Collins, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/232e5d4d-32b8-4b29-814d-657d1d037c71%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
