Re: Bicknell's Thrush
GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU
Thu, 24 Sep 98 19:02:38 EDT
Oooh, Mike -- talk about a hard one. There have been reams of articles
both here and abroad. One article gives several "sure-fire" ways of
separating non-singing Bicknell's from Gray-Cheeked, the next article
says, "yes, but..."
First, Bicknell's are warm-toned rather than cold-toned, but so is one
race of Gray-cheeked. However, a warm toned Gray-cheeked needs careful
scrutiny. The way I understand it, the color of the lower mandible is
diagnostic (hey, you have to be close) -- orange in Bicknell's and
flesh-colored in Gray-cheeked. But there may be other subtle differences.
What about call note? I have never heard that of Bicknell's -- is it
distinquishable from Gray-cheeked?
I for one will wait until I hear one singing, or see one on a high mountain
in Maine or New Hampshire. (I tried this summer but the one thrush I saw
was too low down in altitude and was cold-brown = Gray-cheeked!)
Cheers, Gail Mackiernan