[texbirds] Re: Re Tropical Mockingbird
- From: Keith Arnold <kbarnold2@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Eric Carpenter <ecarpe@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 9 Dec 2013 10:34:40 -0600
All -
Eric has posted a very good explanation of the problems that the TBRC faces
with these types of records; differences of opinion on what constitutes a
valid record for a species bring up some lively discussions among the
committee members. What constitutes evidence of an escaped bird, one with
human "assistance" or one that reached Texas "on it's own" can be argued
without either side being wrong. For example, if I recall correctly, the
Tropical Mockingbird was missing a claw, suggesting to some that it had
been in a cage and this could certainly be true, but I have handled many
wild birds with a missing claw, toe or even the whole foot. Similar
arguments may apply to plumage wear.
As Eric points, the committee acts on as much information as it can obtain
and individual members act as they interpret the evidence.
Keith Arnold
.Academician, TBRC
On Sun, Dec 8, 2013 at 9:56 PM, Eric Carpenter <ecarpe@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> If the TBRC or other record committees required proof positive of
> natural occurrence, there wouldn't be much of a need to vote on
> records like this where there is no obtainable proof. Instead, voting
> is done based upon gathering as much info concerning the species
> involved as well as data on the particular record to allow one to make
> an informed decision. Data is gathered to help answer questions like:
> Is the bird prone to vagrancy? How far from Texas does it naturally
> occur? Is the bird undergoing an expansion? How plausible is a
> human-assisted scenario?
>
> Is natural occurrence more likely or do I have some lingering
> questions about the bird's natural occurrence in the state? Voting
> members must essentially pick one of the other. The decision, as in
> the case, of "natural occurrence questionable" does not claim that we
> know positively that the bird's occurrence wasn't natural, it just
> means that the majority of the committee felt that there were
> significant open questions around this.
>
> This comes up on other records, like Gil's example of Yellow-faced
> Grassquit, or perhaps the Double-toothed Kite from a couple years ago.
> Obviously there was no proof positive in those cases either, but the
> outcome/majority vote on those was that natural occurrence was the the
> more likely scenario.
>
> It is an judgement call, but hopefully an informed one. We realize
> that others may come to different conclusions.
>
> --Eric
>
> Eric Carpenter
> Secretary, TBRC
> ecarpe@xxxxxxxxx
>
> On Sun, Dec 8, 2013 at 8:38 PM, Graham Floyd <spcgraham.floyd@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
> > I have no stake in this. Never had an interest in chasing the Tropical
> > Mockingbird. Having read the full report linked, I must ask this
> question:
> > Does requiring positive proof of a bird occurring naturally set a
> standard
> > that can never be met?
> > Graham Floyd,
> > San Antonio, TX
> >
> >
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>
> --
> Eric Carpenter
> Austin
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