Hi Paul,
 To me, Sean's bird doesn't show the well-defined blackish lores, nor the pinkish-brown flanks of a "Pink-sided". The sides look more a brownish rather than pinkish-brown, and the lores don't really strike me as dark enough. And shouldn't the pinkish-brown be more extensive (especially around the front breast area) on a Pink-sided.? This looks within the range of a female Slate-colored (brown adult female) to my eyes. 

This bird sure shows a lot of gray tones washed in on the sides. Also seems to be a rather grayish overall in tones rather than a bluish-gray. Any notes on size? A Pink-sided would be prhaps a bit on the large size, no?

Rick Sussman
Woodbine,MD










-----Original Message-----
From: pobrien776 <>
To: 
Sent: Sun, Jan 31, 2010 12:54 pm
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Interesting Junco photo's


I'm not so sure that Pink-sided Junco should be ruled out.  To me the basic 
eatures are present: dark lores contrasting with the rest of the head; convex 
ray bib; pinkish flanks that extend well down the sides.  There clearly exists 
 confusing gradation of Juncos with intermediate plumages, but when all the 
equisite details are evident, why look for trouble?  Someone please tell me why 
hat's not the mearnsi subspecies, i.e., Pink-sided Junco.
Paul O'Brien
ockville, Mont. Co., MD
On Jan 31, 2010, at 1:28:49 AM, "Sean McCandless" <> 
rote:
From:   "Sean McCandless" <>
ubject:    [MDOSPREY] Interesting Junco photo's
ate:   January 31, 2010 1:28:49 AM EST
o: 
i all, I have a very interesting and colorful Junco in my feeder today. Does 
nyone want to comment?
Sean McCandless
ecil Bird Club Field Trip Coordinator
lkton, MD