Hi Joel and all;
OK - without more information we don't know what the observer saw to make the
determination that he saw wheatears. I suppose anything is possible, but he
wrote that one was similar to as a "male in mostly breading plumage". I get
that a Rock Wren and a Northern Wheatear both like habitat that is sparse and
may have large rocks, and that both are ground birds. Maybe a Rock Wren on
the ground in silhouette can show a similar body shape to a wheatear. Someone
emailed me from California about seeing a Rock Wren at a coastal location and
getting the quick impression of it being a wheatear, but he is familiar with
both, and has seen many of both, so knew the body shape of them both on the
ground.
We can't know what led the fellow who reported the wheatear on Mt. Hood to the
conclusion that the birds were wheatears unless we hear from him again with
more information. Just as a reminder though, what follows are links to the two
species for the convenience of OBOL readers. These are very different looking
species.
http://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/naturelatest/pics08/wheatear2-jn.jpg
http://www.birdsinfocus.com/galleries/judd_patterson/RockWren_3864.jpg
Jeff
On Jul 29, 2016, at 4:50 PM, Joel Geier <joel.geier@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Jeff & all,
I agree with this much from the standpoint of someone who has seen many
dozens of Northern Wheatears, as I guess you have too:
"I see very little similarity of how a N. Wheatear behaves
compared to the behavior of a Rock Wren...."
However it seems worthwhile to recall that the observer stated:
"... this was a first sighting for me ..."
which implies no prior experience with Northern Wheatear behavior, and
hence would have no standard for comparison.
Rock Wrens can sometimes give the impression of a dark, wedge-shaped
cheek patch. They are roughly the same size as wheatears and have
somewhat similar proportions. Their tendency to "do push-ups" could give
the impression of tail-bobbing.
So I think Bob's suggestion is a reasonable one to consider, pending
further info from the observer. The habitat sounds right.
Of course if someone can hike up there and check for Rock Wrens as well
as wheatears, that would be the best way to try to resolve this.
--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis
