Rare Bird Report #: 12-B-01

Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form

Species: Bay-breasted Warbler

Reporter: Jay Carlisle

6105 Kirkwood Rd

Boise, ID 83709

jaycarlisle@boisestate.edu

Other Observers: Ryan Brady and other IBO crewmembers

Date Report Prepared: 2-4-07

Date Sighting Occurred: 9-13-01 (capture)

Locality of Observation: Lucky Peak, Ada Co.

Habitat: north-south trending ridgeline with a patchy mosaic of shrubsteppe, mountain deciduous shrubland, and conifer forest

Conditions: I don’t remember

Did you take notes? not at all

Did you consult a field guide or other reference work? during the observation

What guide(s) or reference(s) did you consult?

Pyle’s 1997 ‘The Identification Guide to North American Birds’, Sibley, National Geographic

Description: A Dendroica warbler with a moderately thick bill; a greenish-yellow back and head; 2 white wing bars; a yellowish wash on the throat and upper chest; a pinkish wash on the flanks; and whitish undertail coverts and lower belly. The bird’s legs and feet were dark. Wing was 73mm and tail 53mm.

Based on complete skull development and plumage, this bird was identified as an adult female.

Behavior: none observed as this was a bird captured as part of a standardized bird migration study (800am on 9-13-01)

How and when did you positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you? Clinching features included 2 wing bars, greenish-yellow coloration to back and head, the pinkish coloration on the flanks, and the dark legs and feet.

How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they? Similar species include immature Blackpoll and Pine Warblers. Pine can be eliminated by the presence of the pinkish flanks and the lack of brownish tones to back and the lack of a dark cheek patch. Blackpoll (more similar appearing in immatures) can be eliminated by having pale feet and that they lack any pinkish on flanks. We have captured several Blackpoll Warblers (including one 3 days after this bird; see separate report & photo).

Experience with this species (and similar species): I have observed tens to hundreds (fewer for Pine) of each during breeding, migration and winter in both the US (esp. Alaska, Connecticut, South Dakota) and Latin America (especially Panama for Bay-breasted). I have also previously captured and handled 5 immature Blackpolls during fall migration at Lucky Peak and seen 2 at Camas NWR (see separate reports).

General birding experience: extensive; 14+ years in US and Latin America

Were photo(s), video, and/or audio obtained by you? (If yes, please include or attach) Yes, by Ryan Brady (on IBRC website) & 2 others attached.