Record #: 76-B-06

Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form

Species: Blackpoll Warbler

Reporter: Jay Carlisle (I did not see bird – verified through photos)

6105 Kirkwood Rd

Boise, ID 83709

jaycarlisle@boisestate.edu

Other Observers: Caroline Poli, Stephanie Eyes, Erin Kiely, Chad Merkley (all IBO field crew members)

Date Report Prepared: 9-22-06

Date Sighting Occurred: 9-12-06 (capture)

Locality of Observation: Camas NWR headquarters, Jefferson Co.

Habitat: riparian woodland

Conditions: clear, light breeze

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 back and head; 2 white wing bars; a yellow wash on the throat, upper chest, and flanks; whitish undertail coverts and lower belly; and relatively long extension of undertail coverts (12mm from end of tail – see picture). The bird’s legs were dark but the feet were yellowish. Wing: 75mm; Tail: 54mm.

Based on incomplete skull development and plumage, this bird was identified as an immature (hatch-year).

Behavior: none observed as this was a bird captured as part of a standardized bird migration study at 1130am

How and when did you positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you? The bird was captured by the crew listed above and was ID’d after consideration of other similar-looking Dendroica warblers whereas I identified the bird after viewing the attached photos. Clinching features included the long whitish undertail coverts, 2 wing bars, greenish coloration to back and head, the lack of any reddish coloration on the flanks, and the dark legs with pale feet.

How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they? Similar species include immature Bay-breasted and Pine Warblers. Pine can be eliminated by the pale feet, long undertail coverts, lack of brownish tones to back, and the lack of a dark cheek patch. Bay-breasted (more similar appearing in immatures) can be eliminated by the pale feet and the lack of any reddish on flanks.

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 (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, but not by me. See attached photos taken by Erin Kiely.