? Shiny Cowbird in VA (from Birdchat)

Rob Hilton (robert@csa.com)
Wed, 21 Oct 1998 14:26:34 -0400


hi, this just came in from Birchat.....

Rob Hilton
robert@csa.com
Bethesda, MD

>X-Sender: smlong@mail.iex.net
>Date:         Wed, 21 Oct 1998 11:19:00 -0600
>Reply-To: Stephen Long <smlong@ABASALES.COM>
>Sender: "National Birding Hotline Cooperative (Chat Line)"
>              <BIRDCHAT@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
>From: Stephen Long <smlong@ABASALES.COM>
>Subject:      [BIRDCHAT] ? Shiny Cowbird in VA
>To: BIRDCHAT@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
>
>Chatters,
>
>A Virginia birder posted the following comment and request for information.
> Thought some of you Mid-Atlantic birders could help her out.  Please
>respond directly to Robin since I surmise that she does not have access to
>BirdChat.
>
>Thanks
>
>At 06:24 PM 10/20/98 -0600, you wrote:
>>Message Type           Query
>>Subject                        Other
>>Other                  Possible Shiny Cowbird sighting
>>Comments               I live in Alexandria, Virginia.  This morning, at
one of my
>>feeders, I saw a bird I didn't recognize.  It was slightly smaller than a
>>starling, a glossy black with no speckles on it, a black head, dark eyes,
>>and a bill that was almost grosbeak-like.  After going through all of my
>>books, the only bird that comes close is a Shiny Cowbird.  It couldn't have
>>been a Brown-headed Cowbird, because it's head was a dark, glossy black
>>just like its body, and the bill was heavier than a b-h cowbird.  But it
>>looked just like the picture of the Shiny Cowbird in the Audubon book.
>>Have there been any sightings of Shiny Cowbirds in Virginia?  I didn't get
>>pictures, but should be able to if it shows up again.
>>Name                   Robin Castle
>>Email                  rcastle@tiac.net
>>Phone                  703/765-5343
>>Fax
>>Contact ASAP           Contact me ASAP
>>
>
>Best regards,
>Stephen M. Long, Manager
>AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION SALES, Inc.
>P. O. Box 6599
>720 West Monument Street
>Colorado Springs, CO  80934
>800-634-7736 (phone)  719-578-0607
>800-590-2473 (fax)  719-578-9705
>smlong@aba.org (e-mail)
>Check out our web site: http://www.americanbirding.org
>
>