Did I see a Chat ?

[Peter]

Today, Dec. 23, 2021, Skidaway Island, Chathm County, GA.  55 degrees, slight breeze, sunny.

Not the greatest photo, but it might do for an ID.  Could this be a chat?  It was noticeably larger than a Palm warbler that was nearby.

Thanks for your views and comments.

[Seanbirds]

You are correct! Nice bird! This should be reported.

[IKLland]

17 minutes ago, Seanbirds said:

You are correct! Nice bird! This should be reported.

Agreed.

[Connor Cochrane]

This looks like a Common Yellowthroat to me. 

[Seanbirds]

7 minutes ago, Connor Cochrane said:

This looks like a Common Yellowthroat to me. 

@Peter said it was noticeably larger than a nearby Palm Warbler. I would expect a Yellowthroat to be the same size or smaller.

[BigOly]

Legs look light to me.  Yellowthroat I think.

[IKLland]

13 minutes ago, Connor Cochrane said:

This looks like a Common Yellowthroat to me. 

Taking a closer look, I think you’re right.

 

4 minutes ago, Seanbirds said:

@Peter said it was noticeably larger than a nearby Palm Warbler. I would expect a Yellowthroat to be the same size or smaller.

Size can be very hard to judge. 

[Quiscalus quiscula]

Tough call. The light leg color does look like a yellowthroat, but the tail and bold eyering strongly suggest chat. The overwhelming characteristics to seem to be chat-like, though I hate to go against Connor Cochrane.

[Seanbirds]

@Peter any other photos would be most welcome.

[Quiscalus quiscula]

1 minute ago, Seanbirds said:

@Peter any other photos would be most welcome.

Agreed.

[Hasan]

This is definitely a Common Yellowthroat

[Quiscalus quiscula]

1 minute ago, Hasan said:

This is definitely a Common Yellowthroat

Just wondering how do you explain that really bold eye ring and those fan tail feathers?

[Hasan]

Just now, Quiscalus quiscula said:

Just wondering how do you explain that really bold eye ring and those fan tail feathers?

Common Yellowthroats have white eye rings. Not sure what you mean about tail feathers. Either way, the structure is way off- Chats are large and elongated with long, drooping tails, gray/black legs and thick bills, not small and stocky with a fine bill, short tail, and pink fleshy legs.

[Quiscalus quiscula]

10 minutes ago, Hasan said:

Common Yellowthroats have white eye rings. Not sure what you mean about tail feathers. Either way, the structure is way off- Chats are large and elongated with long, drooping tails, gray/black legs and thick bills, not small and stocky with a fine bill, short tail, and pink fleshy legs.

Eyering is a bit on the bold side...nevermind.

[Kevin]

There is absolutely no doubt, that is Common Yellowthroat. 

[Aveschapines]

I'd call this one a Common Yellowthroat too. The eye ring does look a little bit bold but the light is hitting right there so that could be making it look more prominent. I agree that the bill size and shape, tail, and leg color fit better for C. Yellowthroat. 

...(Unless it's a Chat in a Hat...or a Chapeau!)

[meghann]

That eyering sure is bolder than any yellowthroat I've seen. . . . .but also, to me the bill is just not bulky enough for a Chat, and there should be white in the malar area. I would expect the yellow to go down further too.

Sidenote-Chats are rare in Georgia in the winter, although they DO happen. HamRHead has had them in our area in the winter before.

[Charlie Spencer]

I looked at three pages of female COYE in Macaulay, but couldn't find one with that big white 'fishhook' eye ring.

Do the legs look pale because the light is shining through them?

[DLecy]

It’s a Common Yellowthroat. The bill alone eliminates chat. Additionally, as has already been pointed out, structure is way off for a chat.

[IKLland]

3 hours ago, Charlie Spencer said:

I looked at three pages of female COYE in Macaulay, but couldn't find one with that big white 'fishhook' eye ring.

Do the legs look pale because the light is shining through them?

I think it’s an immature male.