Voting Comments
Species
Eastern Towhee
Record #16-B-04
1st Round 6-1
2nd Round 7-0
|
1st Round |
2nd Round |
| 04-17-2008. Doug Ward -- Reject, specific identification not established I have a hard time accepting this one as one of the key field marks separating Eastern (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) from Spotted Towhee (P. maculates) is not mentioned. Most Eastern Towhees typically show a prominent white patch at the base of the outer primaries, or a wing check, that is not present in Spotteds. Another more subjective trait which is also not mentioned is eye color. In my experience, Easterns (except for some of the southern ssp.) show a very bright, scarlet colored eye, where as our Spotteds show a more reddish-brown eye color. This group of towhees is notoriously variable in their specific plumage characteristics which is why researchers used behavior and vocalizations as their primary arguments when the Rufous-sided was split into todays treatment. We had occasional Easterns show up in eastern Colorado where I grew up, and had numerous individuals we would label hybrid (variably spotted mantle and coverts combined with the wing check and more extensive rufous sides) even before the species was split. If like this bird, we came across a plain backed towhee without the wing check, we would put it down as Rufous-sided species, though they could well have been pure Eastern lineage. |
02-06-2009.
While I continue to stand by the points made in my discussion in the prior round, as I considered the good description of this bird, and the remote likelihood of a hybrid showing up in this region with no Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculates) characteristics, I am changing my vote to accept. |
| 26 August 2007.
Hardy -- Accept Adequate documentation, though I wonder why the white markings on the primaries were not noted... |
28 January 2009.
Same comments as first round. |
| 09-06-2007.
chuck trost -- Accept the brown color and no spots are quite convincing. |
02-02-2009.
I'm still convinced, especially after seeing Dave's pictures off the web. |
| 08-16-2007.
Dave Trochlell -- Accept The description convincingly differentiates this Eastern Towhee from similar Spotted Towhees. |
02-01-2009.
I'm convinced. |
| 08-13-2007.
Sturts -- Accept Diagnostic field marks noted. A Spotted Towhee female was present for comparison. |
02-01-2009.
I was concerned about the white wing patch not being mentioned in the report(Doug Ward's concern in the first round). However, Dave Trochlell, in our email discussions wrote the following: "The white patch at the base of Eastern Towhee's primaries can appear to be quite small and insignificant, or may not be visible at all. I believe the visibility of this patch depends on how the bird holds its wing." |
| 20 Sept 2007.
Darren Clark -- Accept Written description accurately describes Eastern Towhee. I also know Cliff to be a careful observer. |
02-06-2009.
Same comments as before. |
|
02-07-2009.
convincing description by careful observer; also the photos shared by Dave Trochlell (showing that white wing patch can be hidden) helpful |