Tough ID on a warbler in S VT

[mfoster.vt]

;Got this pic today of a bird that had been on the ground by a small rivulet, not in the canopy. This was in a mature hardwood forest.  I got no song and no look at the bird from the side.  Looks like maybe a pine warbler, but it may be impossible to ID.  TIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Connor Cochrane]

This is a Prothonatary Warbler, a very good bird for VT. Note the yellow body with the black eye with no eye-ring, and blueish wings. There appears to be 7 VT records on ebird. Do you have any other photos? This will probably need to be submitted to the VBRC (https://vtecostudies.org/wildlife/wildlife-watching/vbrc/)

Edited May 20, 2020 by Connor Cochrane

[Jefferson Shank]

agreed

[Birding Boy]

Agreed, nice bird!

[Connor Cochrane]

There are 9 accepted VT records. If this is on public property, I suggest getting the word out by posting to ebird. Many people are going to want to see this bird.

[The Bird Nuts]

Doesn't it have wingbars?  I would like to see an unedited photo.

[Connor Cochrane]

4 minutes ago, The Bird Nuts said:

Doesn't it have wingbars?

I believe it's the light. 

[Connor Cochrane]

What else could it be. It has a Black eye with no eyeing. Bluish wings, with an olive back, ling black bill. Yellow belly. Head appears to be the same color, also foraging low.

[mfoster.vt]

OK, now you have me going.  I know there was a Prothonatary Warbler in far eastern VT that I did not go to see last year.  I attached a photo of the bird unedited.   I usually do not do this as I shoot in RAW specifically so I can get the best colors and minimize noise.  This is a bit washed out because of no processing.  I got another pic, but it is exactly the same.

 

[The Bird Nuts]

9 minutes ago, Connor Cochrane said:

What else could it be. It has a Black eye with no eyeing. Bluish wings, with an olive back, ling black bill. Yellow belly. Head appears to be the same color, also foraging low.

Yeah, you're probably right.  That's a really good bird.

[birdbrain22]

Looks much  better for a female Blue-winged to me.

[Connor Cochrane]

18 minutes ago, birdbrain22 said:

Looks much  better for a female Blue-winged to me.

Maybe, but I still think Prothonatary. Would a female blue-winged have a black bill, also I don't see any eyestripe.

[mfoster.vt]

Birdbrain, I am thinking you are right.  It all looked kind of right for a Prothonatary, yet it did not have the bright yellow I see in pictures.  On top of that I have some great photos of a Blue-Winged warbler (male) that I saw today and I heard another in a location near where I saw this bird.  I'd love to make it a Prothonatary, but it looks better for female blue winged to me.  Thanks.

[birdbrain22]

1 hour ago, Connor Cochrane said:

Maybe, but I still think Prothonatary. Would a female blue-winged have a black bill, also I don't see any eyestripe.

Yes to black bill and eye stripe can be much more subdued in female.  Also a much more typical bird up in Vermont.

Edited May 20, 2020 by birdbrain22

[Benjamin]

Blue-winged was my initial impression as well. Since Prothonotary would be exceptional, Blue-winged is definitely what I would call this bird.

[blackburnian]

Agree with Blue-winged.

[The Bird Nuts]

Yeah, I have no experience with Prothonotary, but I still think it has wingbars and looks better for Blue-winged.  The eyestripe could be hidden behind other feathers.  I saw your other photos @mfoster.vt and this bird looks just like the others, color and all.

Edited May 20, 2020 by The Bird Nuts

[mfoster.vt]

So I have also put this to some local experts and our eBird reviewers for the county.  One suggestion that seems to fit well is female hooded warbler.  They have a more olive color to the back, no wing bars, black beak and a yellow cheek.  Habitat is right as well, as they like the understory which is where I saw this.  What do you all think about that as an ID?

[AlexHenry]

Female Hooded Warbler is, I believe, correct.

In addition to the reasons you list above, also, look at this. You can even see the white in the tail (see the red arrow)! I did not even notice this until Hooded Warbler was mentioned, but now it makes sense. Prothonotary should show more of a dark tip on the inner web, IMO.

Edited May 20, 2020 by AlexHenry

[The Bird Nuts]

Hooded Warbler is also a very good bird for Vermont.  I still think it's a Blue-winged due to the bulkier build (small eye, etc.) and no sign of green in the wings.

Edited May 20, 2020 by The Bird Nuts

[AlexHenry]

I could see it as Blue-winged Warbler. It isn't Prothonotary though. I think the eye size is tough to judge as the face is not in profile.

Edited May 20, 2020 by AlexHenry