A new photo by Dan Berard shows what looks like an intermediate large redpoll, and should be added to the discussion in my previous post. photo copyright Dan Berard, used by permission – 7 Mar 2008, Millbury, MA Dan says both of these birds were about the same size and both were larger than the […]
Another large pale redpoll Read More »
Maybe we are just more aware and looking harder for “Greater” Common Redpolls (Carduelis flammea rostrata) this winter in Massachusetts, or maybe it’s really an exceptional winter, but there is no doubt that they have come south in significant numbers. I have seen them on a couple of visits to Dan Berard’s feeders in Millbury,
Redpoll investigation widens to include “Greater” Read More »
If identifying Hoary Redpoll is not enough of a challenge for you, maybe you’d like to look for subspecies of Hoary and Common Redpolls? First, check out this map from the Canadian Atlas of Bird Banding. This shows selected western band recoveries of Common Redpolls, and the obvious suggestion is that some of the Common
Redpoll subspecies Read More »
Great White Heron Ardea herodias occidentalis updated 13 Nov 2007, thanks to all those who have commented publicly and privately. I’ve backed off a bit from my criticism of the TBRC decision, the more I learn the less clear-cut this seems, although I still think it’s at least a good subspecies. Shaibal Mitra sent me
“Great White” Heron – not just a color morph Read More »