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Re: Help with ID

From:

Bob Ringler

Reply-To:

Maryland Birds & Birding

Date:

Sat, 15 May 2004 16:38:02 -0400

Tom,
   Female Red-winged Blackbirds have a yellowish throat.  It is shown in the Sibley and National Geographic field guides, but not prominently.  As with many species the plumage can be variable.  I believe this is your bird.

> From: "Marko, Thomas L. GS BUMED" <>
> Date: 2004/05/15 Sat PM 12:24:28 EDT
> To: 
> Subject: [MDOSPREY] Help with ID
>
> This morning along the Blue Mash Nature Trail in Montgomery County, I
> encountered a bird that initially appeared to be a female Red-winged
> Blackbird but upon closer observation seemed different.  It was in a low
> bush in an open field about 30 feet away from where I stood and agitated,
> perhaps because I was near its nest.  Here's what I observed:
>
> - appeared slightly larger in size than a female RWBB
> - overall brown color similar to RWBB but slightly darker
> - underside had dark, heavy streaking
> - yellowish wash on throat
> - fairly wide, white stripe above the eye
> - faint narrow black line below the eye
> - bill similar to RWBB
> - call: rapid, sharp chip notes
>
> A review of several field guides points to RWBB, but not quite.  The
> yellowish wash on the throat is not indicated.

Bob Ringler
Eldersburg MD