Warblers + Sandpiper

[nkwali]

Ah, the joys of fall warbler identification. I'm looking for confirmation or correction on id's on a couple of warblers and a sandpiper.

Thank you

Blackburnian Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler by Nkwali, on Flickr

Pine Warbler
Pine Warbler by Nkwali, on Flickr

Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler by Nkwali, on Flickr

White-rumped Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper? by Nkwali, on Flickr

[mc]

i know eh , nkwali

i was up at Mara Provincial Park, Orillia this past weekend, and i found that the Peterson Guide was great for Confusing Fall Warblers....

http://www.hiltonpond.org/images/BookPe ... lers01.jpg

it really helped me with the magnolia warbler -- "White band at midtail" -- which i did clearly observe.

[Reuven_M]

Correct except second is a Blackpoll

[nkwali]

Thanks Reuven & MC

I assume Blackpoll because of the streaking on the chest? Or are there other differentiating features?

[lovemypt]

colour of feet

[Iain]

***EDIT*** The eye-arcs on this bird do not eliminate Blackburnian so please ignore my comment below.  

The top bird is a juvenile Yellow-rumped Warbler, not a Blackburnian.  The well-defined eye arcs eliminate Blackburnian.  The bill is also on the large side, and for juvenile Blackburnians would be two-toned - black and pink.

Cheers,
Iain

[Reuven_M]

Looking again it's not a Blackburnian or Yellow-rumped, but a young Pine. Compare this image: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/PHO ... rnholt.jpg
The placement of the yellow and the face pattern aren't quite right for Yellow-rumped.

[Iain]

I've received a couple of additional opinions on this bird from two more expert Toronto Birders and neither of them came back with Yellow-rumped or Pine.  One thought Blackburnian and the other thought Cape May - reasoning below.  As Reuven pointed out, the yellow wash on this bird's breast is not right for Yellow-rumped (neither are the light coloured feet) so I apologize for the incorrect ID.

Here are the cases for each species from the other two birders I heard from:

Blackburnian - Streaking, yellowish breast, wide supercilium and triangular face patch
Cape May - Short, pointed bill, shortish pale supercilium, yellowish flush behind the ear-coverts and on the breast.  Crisp dusky streaking along the breast sides and flanks and the bold white wing bars.

So we are undoubtedly dealing with a 'confusing fall warbler'.  I will likely post this bird to a Facebook bird ID group to see if we can get a consensus and will post the findings here.

[nkwali]

If these help - here are two more photos of the same warbler. They aren't the greatest - but perhaps will provide some additional clues.
Much appreciate all the insights.

Confusing Warbler 2 by Nkwali, on Flickr

Confusing Warbler 1 by Nkwali, on Flickr

[Iain]

Thanks for posting more photos Nkwali.  Have passed them along and will let you know what we get back.

[thouc]

I vote for Blackburnian with the strong supercilium and wing bars.

/Thomas