Frode,

The southern Appalachian subspecies _alticola_ is a common breeder here in SW Virginia and I have become very familiar with it.?? I do not think this is one because it looks green backed with the green blending up into the gray hood.? The Appalachian birds have gray hoods that blend into the back with limited green at all in the back. They are also bigger and I didn't get that sense from the photo, but that would be difficult to assess.? 

Nico sent me 2 more photos of the bird in the question and in those photos it looks much more like a Blue-headed Vireo.? I think the lack of contrast may have just been a lighting issue in the photo.? 

Matt Hafner
Blacksburg, VA




-----Original Message-----
From: Frode Jacobsen <>
To: 
Sent: Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:09 pm
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Cylburn 9/29 - odd Blue-headed Vireo?










Hi Matt,
I saw a similarly pale and contrast-lacking Blue-headed Vireo at McKeldin
Area of PVSP last May and was informed that it was probably of the
southern Appalanchian subspecies. Perhaps this is also one?

Nico, keep the great photos coming! Great shot!

Frode Jacobsen
Baltimore, MD

>
>
>
>  Nico,
>
> Your Blue-headed Vireo looks very interesting.? There is a very weak
> contrast between the blue head and throat that is usually a characteristic
> of Cassin's Vireo (would be a first state record!).? I am very unfamiliar
> with Cassin's Vireo (only ever seen 1), but I see a lot of Blue-headed
> Vireos and this one strikes me as strange.? I would very much like to hear
> the opinions of others on this bird.? Great pic!
>
> Matt Hafner
> Blacksburg, VA
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nico Sarbanes <>
> To: 
> Sent: Sat, 29 Sep 2007 10:22 am
> Subject: [MDOSPREY] Cylburn 9/29
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Went to Cylburn this morning from around 8:45 to 10:45.  Best bird was a
> Blue Headed Vireo (new bird for me) that was hopping around in the tall
> bushes and trees right in front of the parking area.  I was able to snap a
> couple quick pics of it, but it wasn't the most cooperative bird.  Other
> sightings included two Redstarts, two Magnolias,three Black-Throated
> Greens,
> two Parulas, one Rose Breasted Grosbeak,and bunches of house finches and
> mockingbirds.  If you want to see a few of the pics I got, they're at:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicobirdphotos/
>
> Nico Sarbanes
> Baltimore
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! -
> http://mail.aol.com
>
>



 


________________________________________________________________________
Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com