Voting Comments
Species
Philadelphia Vireo
Record #13-B-09
1st Round: 6-1
2nd Round: 5-2
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1st Round |
2nd Round |
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02-04-2009.
Excellent report. A very complete description, elminating all similar vireos and warblers |
02-26-2009.
I'm still comfortable with voting to accept. |
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2/4/09.
This is a well written, thorough report of a long observation at close range. While the size relative to other species present seems a bit off (smaller than Yellow Warblers?) but the rest of the details seem consistent with Philadelphia Vireo, as does the active foraging behavior. Timing is close to the other two fall records for the state. |
3/1/09.
Upon reconsideration I have reservations about this record. The size described doesn't bother me that much but, as Darren mentioned in his comments, the yellow on the throat/center of upper breast is critical and the description does not say the yellow was on the center of the breast. It's normal for Warbling Vireo to have yellow on the breast sides , (especially in fall) but not in the center. "Upper Breast" doesn't quite get me there. (as a side note much has been said about a yellow throat on PHVI. However the pale bird illustrated in Sibley has a whitish throat despite the caption that says "yellow throat". I think the critical area is the center of the upper breast) The observer also mentions not seeing the dark lores despite a long observation time at close range. From the report it appears that dark lores were specifically looked for and not confirmed. All this raises doubt and there are few ID records for Philadelphia Vireo. |
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02-08-2009.
Wow, this was another tough decision for me. I know the observer to be a very well experienced and careful birder. I eventually accepted this record, but had the following reservations about the observer's report: 1) First of all, he said that the PHVI was smaller than a Yellow Warbler. I don't think that's likely, at least none of the PHVIs I ever saw seemed smaller than YEWAs. 2) He mentioned that the bird had somewhat of an eyering. That's not too good for PHVI either. 3) He didn't see the bird's dark lores, and to my eyes that's one of the critical features that separates PHVI from Warbling Vireo. Even on the paler PHVIs, the dark line that runs through the eye is most obvious at the lores. 4) His competing birds portion was very good, but probably should not have mentioned that Red-eyed Vireo can be competed on the basis of eye color, since HY REVIs have brown eyes. |
02-20-2009.
The description still bothers me a bit, but I think the observer is very familiar with vireos. |
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02-08-2009.
Careful observation and description. |
02-20-2009.
I'm convinced that he thinks he saw this species, and his description is very good. |
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17 February 2009.
Although the dark lores were not seen, the description eliminates other possible vireo candidates. It bothers me a bit that this bird was described as smaller than a Yellow Warbler. |
24 February 2009.
Same comments as first round. |
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2-18-09.
Thorough and convincing description |
3-5-09.
Although care is needed to separate from fresh-plumaged, HY Warbling Vireos (that look much more bright & contrasty than worn adults at this time of year), I am convinced by this report by an observer familiar with the species. |
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02-19-2009.
I didn't read anything in the report that completely ruled out Warbling Vireo for me, except maybe the small tail, which is somewhat subjective. The report also states that the bird was smaller than Warbling Vireos and Yellow Warblers, Philadelphia Vireos are very slightly smaller than Warbling Vireos, but should be slightly larger than Yellow Warbler. Philadelphia Vireo should be brightest in the center of the throat, which isn't mentioned in the report. |
03-03-2009.
I re-read the report and am intrigued by the report, but still don't feel that Warbling Vireo was eliminated as a possibility. |