Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: Rotarran on January 31, 2015, 09:35:04 PM

Title: Southern 'exilipes' Hoary Redpoll?
Post by: Rotarran on January 31, 2015, 09:35:04 PM

Went down to the Spit today to see the Redpolls and they were there, but I'm not sure if I saw the Hoary.  The Hoary I saw in 2013 was quite a bit whiter than any Redpolls I saw today.  But then the 3 Hoaries reported at the spit are said to be 'exilipes' or Southern Hoary Redpolls which I think aren't quite as white.  So I tried to see if maybe this qualifies...its bill appears to be kinda stubby...not sure about the rest.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y469/Rotarren/IMG_3108_zpsom4hyaij.jpg)

Thank you

Title: Re: Southern 'exilipes' Hoary Redpoll?
Post by: thouc on January 31, 2015, 11:52:30 PM

It's a candidate, but without seeing the rump I wouldn't call it for certain. From the Sibley guide Redpoll index (http://www.sibleyguides.com/2008/01/a-character-index-for-redpoll-identification/) I would say the side streaking is a 4 and the undertail coverts a 5 or 6 (central part not seen in picture). Females are usually more streaked than males, so I would say a probable female Hoary Redpoll.

/Thomas

Title: Re: Southern 'exilipes' Hoary Redpoll?
Post by: Rotarran on February 02, 2015, 10:19:33 AM

Thanks Thouc.  I have one other picture of the same bird:

(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y469/Rotarren/IMG_3107_zpsixbselzt.jpg)

Then there's this set of maybe the same bird or another, I'm not sure...they constantly move around so much then got up and flew in a circle and landed again, it was hard to keep track of any of the birds:

(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y469/Rotarren/IMG_3112_zps27tmihsp.jpg)
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y469/Rotarren/IMG_3113_zpsre0hy8kh.jpg)
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y469/Rotarren/IMG_3114_zpsyslirl6o.jpg)
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y469/Rotarren/IMG_3115_zpsqhuyx5cv.jpg)
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y469/Rotarren/IMG_3116_zpsu2c0chzv.jpg)
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y469/Rotarren/IMG_3117_zpsma6qlwdu.jpg)

Title: Re: Southern 'exilipes' Hoary Redpoll?
Post by: thouc on February 02, 2015, 12:20:52 PM

Undertail coverts looks like a 5, but unfortunately it's covering the rump. I'm 90 procent confident it's a Hoary with the overall frosty look too.

/Thomas

Title: Re: Southern 'exilipes' Hoary Redpoll?
Post by: Rotarran on February 02, 2015, 01:10:01 PM

Ok cool, thanks Thomas.  Yeah the overall impression I get is not of a Common Redpoll.