1st Round

2nd Round

6 April 2010
Weisse—Reject, specific identification not established

Although difficult to judge in the photos there doesn’t appear to be any contrast between nape and mantle.  In addition the yellow of the flanks appears dirty/dingy, not bright clear yellow, and the division between white and gray on the throat is diffuse rather than sharp as expected on BH Vireo.  This looks like a somewhat bright Cassin’s Vireo to me.

26 May 2010
Cliff Weisse--Reject, specific identification not established

This bird is fairly bright but to me the border between white and gray on the throat is diffuse, not sharply demarcated as it should be on a BH Vireo. The flanks are dusky olive yellow, not the clear yellow expected. The nape is not visible but the mantle doesn't appear olive or greenish and the yellow throat is wrong for any Blue-headed.

Doug Ward pointed out two additional problems with this bird. In the second photo there seems to be some ingression of olive into the auriculars (and to me possibly the back of the head as well). This may or may not be real but it argues against Blue-headed given the lack of other photos to refute this impression.

The other thing is the narrowing of the eye ring below the eye, apparently not shown by Blue-headed. I lightened both images and it doesn't look like an effect of shadow. In fact the white actually seems to be flecked with darker color almost breaking the eye ring.

If there were photos that showed the tail and or mantle/nape contrast it might be helpful but the field marks visible in the photos, at best, do not rule out Cassin's Vireo and are likely diagnostic for Cassin's Vireo.

04-09-2010
Sturts--Reject, specific identification not established

The Photograh leaves me uncertain about the identification. I want to hear other Committee members have to say about the identification.

06-26-2010
Sturts--Reject, specific identification not established

I'm staying with my first vote for the same reason.

04-11-2010
Dave Trochlell--Reject, specific identification not established

This was an interesting report, but the malar/throat contrast looked weak to me for a BHVI, and the bird's described vocalizations seemed copied right out of "The Sibley Guide to Birds".

06-26-2010
Dave Trochlell--Reject, specific identification not established

I'm going to reject this record again for reasons previously stated.

4-17-10
Carlisle--Accept

looks good to me - contrasty bird and 'song sounding like a Red-eyed' is suggestive of the less slurred/hoarse sound of Blue-headed relative to Cassin's

6-26-10
Carlisle--Accept

If I saw this bird E of the Rockies I wouldn't hesitate ... the head looks dark/blue-gray enough to me and the song description sounded good. My only hesitation is that Terry has discussed modifying coloration of photos ....

27 April 2010
Hardy--Accept

Photos show eyering pattern, dark head, white edged rectrices that distinguish this species from other solitary vireos.

23 May 2010
Hardy--Accept

The bird in the photo seems to fall within the variation possible for Blue-headed, and I am swayed by the description of the song being unlike Cassin's. My vote is not solid, and I will look forward to further discussion if this record goes to a third round.

31-B-09
Darren Clark--Reject, specific identification not established

Although the song description is interesting. The plumage of the bird doesn't look sharp enough for Blue-headed Vireo. I've seen many Cassin's Vireo that look a lot like this bird.

05-20-2010
Darren Clark--Reject, specific identification not established

Same comments as previously written.

5-6-10
chuck trost--Accept

While the pictures could be better, the head color was too dark for a Cassin's or a Plumbeous. The description seemed quite good.

5-8-10
chuck trost--Reject, specific identification not established

I guess I agree that this could have been a Cassin's - not enough contrast in the head & nape.