KnotLisa Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 This is clearly a Dark-eyed Junco, but I've never seen one with those streaks (chevrons?) on it's back. Is this a particular type or sub-species? Friday, Jan. 21 in Lehigh county, PA. Thanks. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipperatl Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Any other pictures? Hard to tell if he has a hood or not. Head does look darker than the back, and sides. Could be a cismontanus. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnotLisa Posted January 24 Author Share Posted January 24 Thanks chipperatl. There has been some chatter on the PABIRDS listserv about cismontanus (Cassiar?) in PA the last several days. I have never distinguished Juncos before, and never knew there were so many types or sub-species. I have a few more pics, but they are very similar to the first - here's 2 more. I'm 90% sure the thirdt one is the same bird. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan B Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Looks pretty good for cismontanus in my opinion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipperatl Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 5 minutes ago, Aidan B said: Looks pretty good for cismontanus in my opinion. You think there is enough to say it has a "hood" on it? That third photo looks pretty straight across. Bad angle? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birding Boy Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 I would totally call this a Slate-colored, I think the weird lighting is making the head seem darker than it is. There's not much of a bib either, and the flanks appear to be as dark as portions of the head. I've seen one or two birds like this and always assumed them to be Slate-coloreds. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan B Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 (edited) 7 minutes ago, chipperatl said: You think there is enough to say it has a "hood" on it? That third photo looks pretty straight across. Bad angle? I think so, though I totally could be wrong. The angle can really make a huge difference, and I don't see very many Slate-colored or Cismontanus here in sac. Here's a one I saw that looks somewhat similar to this bird. Flanks aren't as dark however. https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/281111751 You guys are probably right though Edited January 24 by Aidan B 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipperatl Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 @KnotLisa I wouldn't give up on this bird as cismontanus yet. Some more photos might help. We are looking for really clear contrast between darker "hood" over head and color of the flank and back. Back has some, but flanks are really close. Maybe it will show up again. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnotLisa Posted January 25 Author Share Posted January 25 Thanks chippperatl, and everyone. As you mentioned or can tell from the shadows, the light for these pics is bad - it was later in the afternoon and in the shade. I will continue to keep an eye out for this bird, and try for a photo in better light. This was a great dive into the world of Juncos - thanks again! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLecy Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 Slate-colored. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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