Re: Re[4]: Western Tanager at Riverbend, VA

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Marshall, 

Yellow-throated Vireo is the same length as Myrtle / Yellow-rumped Warbler
according to Howell and Webb _A Guide to the Birds of Mexico ... _ (5-5.7
vs. 5-5.5 inches).  The length of Pine Warbler is given as 4.7-5.2 inches.
So on those grounds alone Yellow-throated Vireo and Pine Warbler are ruled
out.  Plus, I find it hard to believe that Kurt Gaskill wouldn't have
noticed the spectacles.  And, while I might have missed it, upon rereading
Kurt's description I found no mention of a white belly.  The bird sounds
like a tanager to me.  

Best, 

Rob Hilton
robert@csa.com
Bethesda, MD

At 04:51 PM 10/9/98 -0600, you wrote:
>     Todd
>     
>     Hopefully you are correct about the reported bird being most likely a 
>     western tanager, based on the description of bill shape and size.  But 
>     in my opinion the bill/head structure of a yellow-throated vireo is 
>     quite tanager-like (moreso than warbler-like), though smaller of 
>     course.  The terms "flesh-colored," and "wide at the base" are quite 
>     subjective and not diagnostic.  I really don't think any of the 
>     reported field marks totally rules out the vireo.  Since I have no 
>     knowledge about Kurt's level of birding experience, I am just 
>     suggesting an alternative possibility that should be considered.  
>     Kurt, any comment?  
>     
>     Marshall

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