Hi Folks,
Learning to distinguish Hutton's Vireos from Ruby-crowned Kinglets is a
challenge most birders face at some point in their birding experience.
Recently I had the opportunity to take some photos of both species in Jay
Walters's back yard in E Roseburg. You can see all the distinguishing
features of each species in these photos. I thought I would share these. I
won't spell it all out so you can discover some things for yourself, but
here is what you want to look at:
1. Size and shape of the bill
2. Extent/shape of the pale area between eye and bill
3. Color/shade on wing right behind the lower (rear) wing bar
4. Color of feet (can even see on birds facing away)
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34023690
Of course, in life, they both have different call notes, and the vireo
usually perches longer without as much movement, and is a little larger and
slightly paler, all of which alert you to species before you even get a
close look at the bird(s). Of course you need to be aware that you might
hear one and see the other, at first, as they are often traveling together!
But when you practice this a few times, you'll grow in confidence in IDing
these species.
Enjoy,
Matt Hunter
Melrose
