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Northern Shrike
15 Jan 2006 half-mile S of Lake Solano SOL |
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THE CREAGRUS CALIFORNIA LIST
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Northern Shrike
15 Jan 2006 half-mile S of Lake Solano SOL |
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| The shrike (above) engendered some discussion of ageing. Some (including your humble reporter) was startled to discover it was a "gray" shrike, not at all the "brown" first-winter bird anticipated. Other famed observers insisted it was, indeed, "brown." Pyle (1997) ID Guide to N. American Birds describes a pre-basic molt lasting through November that does change the underparts from brown to grayish, but also describes a limited partial molt in the coverts. No brownish coverts were noted in the field through scopes. Perhaps it is a bird in second-winter plumage? However, tapered outer rectrices (which looked brownish compared to black central rectrices) may suggest retained juvenal feathers, perhaps suggestive of a partial pre-alternate molt? |
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Ovenbird
15 Jan 2006 Putah Creek at Mace Rd. SOL An astonishing wintering warbler in northern California, and remarkably tolerant of the hordes viewing it this Sunday (thanks to Todd & Tanner Easterla for help in getting this shot). |
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Blue Jay
15 Jan 2006 Fairfield SOL . . . and then one buys fresh kiwis
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