On Sun, 2010-01-31 at 12:54 -0500, pobrien776 wrote:
> I'm not so sure that Pink-sided Junco should be ruled out.  To me the
> basic features are present: dark lores contrasting with the rest of
> the head; convex gray bib; pinkish flanks that extend well down the
> sides.  There clearly exists a confusing gradation of Juncos with
> intermediate plumages, but when all the requisite details are evident,
> why look for trouble?  Someone please tell me why that's not the
> mearnsi subspecies, i.e., Pink-sided Junco.

Paul,

I agree that this bird looks like it has some western genes in it but 
shouldn't Pink-sided have brighter pink sides compared to a darker brown
back?  I believe that both areas being the same brightness argues
against pink-sided.

I think a more likely origin is in the Canadian Rockies with Cassiar's
Junco.  These are usually listed as a subspecies of Slate-colored but is
almost certainly better thought of as a hybrid/intergrade between Oregon
and Slate-colored.

Birds with some traits that suggest one of the western forms are not all
that rare in Maryland.  This morning, I have a couple of birds in my
back yard with convex bibs, at least one more with obvious dark lores
and one with a suggestion of a hood.  Otherwise, the all look like
fairly normal Slate-colored Juncos.  I'm assuming these traits suggest
integrades but I'm completely clueless about where integrades end and
natural variation within slate-colored begins.  If anyone can provide
useful guidance, I'd appreciate it.

Dave

-- 
David Mozurkewich
Seabrook, PG MD