Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Warblers of The Vermilon River. A Post to WBW

Chestnut-sided Warbler Fall Plumage.
 In my last post I filed a number of photos and asked help with the identification. Both commenter's to the post, and people from NWO Birds (North Western Ontario Birds) came through for me and I thank them all. NWO birds is a site of amateur and I think some professional naturalists that live to the west of me on the north shore of Lake Superior. They're blessed with all that I have in terms of forest, as well as  the big water of Lake Superior, the largest and undoubtedly the toughest of the Great Lakes. The birds were identified as a Fall plumage Chestnut-sided warbler and a female Common Yellow-throat Warbler.
Fall plumage, the term that is, sent me to the web to find out what it means. I knew the American male Goldfinch changes his bright looks for a duller winter look. But I didn't know warblers have a variation on this theme, in that they alter their spring plumage to a fall plumage, which can be an extreme change. This makes identification all the harder,because you have to know both plummages to correctly identify them. The Chesnut-sided Warbler may lose his chestnut-side as shown here. I would also expect a bird born this year would go to fall plummage directly, and may appear in a flock with older birds in their spring plummage. I don't know if this is correct as none of the web sites say that; rather I just made the inference.
Chestnut-sided Warbler Fall Plumage.

Chestnut-sided Warbler Fall Plumage.

Chestnut-sided Warbler Spring Plumage.

Chestnut-sided Warbler Spring Plumage.

Chestnut-sided Warbler Spring Plumage.

Female Common Yellowthroat Warbler.

Female Common Yellowthroat Warbler.

Male Common Yellowthroat Warbler.

Male Yellowthroat.
The situation with the Yellowthroats was simpler, as it was a gender differentiation only. So with them I have just included the male and female. The photos are almost all new to publication. Both pretty stylish birds though don't you think? The Yellowthroat, male and female is new to me this year. The Chestnut sided is new to me in its fall plumage format. All the information was taken from wikipedia and www.ehow.com/ Further photos of  the warblers, all types all stages, can be found @ http//www.giffbeaton.com/. Go to the Warbler Section.


A Post to WBW@ http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com/
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23 comments:

  1. Lois EvensenAugust 9, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    Beautiful. And, so great that they have been identified so you can log them. Love the sun on the last image.

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  2. Maude LynnAugust 9, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    What a difference in plumage! I didn't know that.

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  3. SpringmanAugust 9, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Wondrous selection Gary! One can only imagine the time and dedication it takes to collect such superb images of these wickedly fast moving and secretive critters! I appreciate your research too, the text is as enthralling as your photographs!

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  4. holdingmomentsAugust 9, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    Beautiful birds Gary.

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  5. theconstantwalkerAugust 9, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Lovely little birds Gary they must be wonderful to listen to.
    Your images are outstanding.

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  6. Modesto ViegasAugust 9, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Very good series!!!

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  7. Bob BushellAugust 9, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    Beautiful images.

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  8. jooAugust 9, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Wow, lovely images!

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  9. mickAugust 9, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Beautiful birds and great photos.

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  10. TexWisGirlAugust 9, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    they sure are pretty little things!

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  11. ArijaAugust 9, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    Isn't it fun to get the identification right and learn something new in the process?

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  12. FjällripanAugust 10, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    Beautiful series!!

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  13. DarAugust 10, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    I'm curious about the Yellowthroat~~~do the males sit on the nest also...there was a Yellowthroat at my sister's. She lives on a lake and the nest was just above her driveway in front of her house...right where the van passed under it daily...seemed strange to me...also thought they nested closer to the ground...love the warblers.
    Very interesting plummage information.
    BlessYourHeart

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  14. LouiseAugust 10, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    You're getting to be a real expert on all of these birds in your area. It's endlessly fascinating, isn't it?

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  15. NatureFootstepAugust 10, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    strange coloring on the Chestnut-sided Warbler Spring Plumage. Nice!

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  16. Hilke BrederAugust 10, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Terrific images, Gary! ID of fall warblers can be so confusing! Thanks for sharing.

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  17. jeanlivingsimpleAugust 10, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    It really helps to see the difference in plumage in one post. Thanks!

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  18. Kathie BrownAugust 10, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    How wonderful to see all these warblers! I think the chestnut-sided is really pretty. Good detective work there Gary!

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  19. NeilAugust 10, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    Nice looking birds great photos.

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  20. CarlettaAugust 10, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    Glad you got the info you needed.
    As always, lovely images of the warblers!

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  21. FotokarusellenAugust 10, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    Wonderful post and beautiful images, Gary.

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  22. LarryAugust 13, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    Great post Gary! Those warblers can certainly be a challenge to ID. All excellent shots too! They are tough little guys to get good photos of since they don't sit still very long. Good job!

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  23. Iowa Gardening WomanAugust 13, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    Great photography Gary! Thanks for sharing, I love those little warblers.

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