Bird subspecies

About the List of Field Identifiable Subspecies

Click here for the complete list of identifiable subspecies of North American birds Some background on subspecies Subspecies are a common focus of debate among birders and ornithologists. The subspecies concept exists as a way to record and classify variation below the species level. The problem is that once we venture below the species level […]

About the List of Field Identifiable Subspecies Read More »

Distinguishing the subspecies of Purple Finch

Summary The two subspecies of Purple Finch are fairly distinctive with well-defined ranges. They are best distinguished by overall impression of color and pattern, and more objectively by details of back and head pattern. Virtually all individuals should be safely identifiable in the field, but the frequency and extent of intergradation is unknown. Eastern Purple

Distinguishing the subspecies of Purple Finch Read More »

Can subspecies of Mountain Chickadee be identified in the field?

Not really. Only under ideal conditions and with reference to location. Mountain Chickadee is found throughout much of the montane coniferous forest of the west, and up to seven subspecies have been described and named. These were sorted by Behle (1956) into Rocky Mountain, Great Basin, and California groups which differ in a complex mosaic

Can subspecies of Mountain Chickadee be identified in the field? Read More »

Four redpoll taxa in one photo

Michael Butler of Marathon, Ontario sent me the remarkable photo below, showing all four taxa of redpolls (four subspecies, two species) in one view (see more at his blog here: http://northshorenature.blogspot.com/ The Hornemann’s Hoary is the most distinctive – larger than the “typical” birds and very pale, also looking exceptionally fluffy and “well-padded” which is

Four redpoll taxa in one photo Read More »

The next 10 North American bird splits

A favorite activity among avid birders is speculating and pontificating about which species should be “split” into new species (and new checkmarks on the life list). Another way of stating the question is “which subspecies should be elevated to full species status?” I’ve always tried to emphasize the value of paying attention to subspecies even when they don’t

The next 10 North American bird splits Read More »

Identification tips for Greenland Greater White-fronted Goose

The Greenland Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser frontalis flavirostris) is known to be a rare visitor to northeastern North America, but I have never been satisfied with a reliable, objective way of distinguishing it from the North American subspecies of Greater White-fronted Goose, also a rare visitor to the northeast. Bill color is the most frequently-mentioned

Identification tips for Greenland Greater White-fronted Goose Read More »

Lesser Canada Goose in the northeastern US

The primary challenge of distinguishing Canada from Cackling Goose centers on the intermediate-sized ‘Lesser’ Canada Goose, B. c. parvipes, which reportedly nests across the boreal forest regions of western Canada and interior Alaska (more details on my website here). I’ve seen a few birds that I thought were ‘Lesser’ in the northeast over the years,

Lesser Canada Goose in the northeastern US Read More »