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Vireo griseus
Calling all ornithologists! Can you identify this bird? I consulted two local birding experts who are unsure of the bird's identity. Both birders think it's a Vireo: one thinks it's a White-eyed Vireo; the other thinks it's a Yellow-throated. I'm not sure I agree with either ID. Here's the backstory: A beaver was spotted a few feet below the bird's perch; the bird squawked VERY LOUDLY until the beaver moved on.
Huntley Meadows Park, a 1,425 acre wetland area in Fairfax County, Virginia USA. Related Resource: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntl...
Copyright © 2012 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved. www.wsanford.com
I was going by the description and drawings in my book which shows the adult has a pure white iris (ring around the pupil) while the immature has a grey iris like this one.
OK gentlemen, I defer to your expertise! I appreciate the lively and thoughtful discussion related to my spotting. Thanks for your help!
Are you seeing just a slight iris coloration especially in the second picture? It's so faint it almost looks like the bird has a black eye ring followed by white ring?
To me it looks like an immature White-eyed Vireo as it does not have a white iris but everything else matches; and the there is nowhere near enough yellow for any of the Yellow-throated Vireos. I have seconded Ryan's suggestion.
I have no doubt that it's an immature White-Eyed. First, notice how it's eye is just starting to show some faint color variation? That would not be present in a Yellow-Throat. Secondly, an immature Yellow-throated would show more yellow on it's head and back and would not show the faint yellowing of the flanks, as you see in the second photo. And least, notice how the outer tail is yellow? that's a clear indication of a White-Eye vs a Yellow-Throat.
Spotted on Jul 20, 2012
Submitted on Aug 3, 2012
