| Common Name | Orange-crowned Warbler |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Leiothlypis celata |
| Type of Report | Rare Species |
| Date of Observation | 05/16/2020 |
| Number Observed | 1 |
| Reporting Observer's Name | Bridget Butler |
| Mailing Address | 7 Quintin Court St. Albans, Vermont 05478 United States Map It |
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| Date Completed | 05/16/2020 |
| Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 44.801 |
| Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | -73.08 |
| Place Name | St. Albans Town School Forest |
| Township | St. Albans |
| County | Franklin |
| Vermont eBird Checklist URL | ebird.org |
| Time of Day | 07:40 AM |
| Length of Time Observed | 60 sec |
| Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 5 |
| Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 4 |
| Noteworthy Weather Conditions | Birdcast migration prediction was in favor of new migrants. Heavy rain previous evening. Overcast morning, 45 degrees, little wind. |
| Optical Equipment Used for Observation | Vortex Razor HD, 8x42 |
| Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species | None. I'm very familiar with Yellow Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, and other comparable species. |
| I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event. | |
| Description of Habitat | Wet woodland with a mix of species including white cedar, poplar, pine spruce, maple and then a dense layer of understory species including willow, alder, dogwoods, and honeysuckle. Some vernal pools and marshy spots as well. |
| Behaviors Observed | Feeding in low shrubs on willow and dogwoods. Other warblers in eBird report were feeding above this bird in poplars. |
| Description of Vocalizations | None. |
| Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation | Took notes. This bird stood out from the other warblers feeding overhead, which is why my attention was drawn to it. I though immature yellow warbler but the color was very muted, and it had an eye-line. Yellow wasn't right for a YEWA. Next got quick looks at underside which was yellow throughout all the way back through the undertail coverts. Looked for chestnut streaking, there was none. But did notice blurry marks in chest. Back to eye, broken pale yellow ring. |
| Relative Size & Shape | Similar in size to warblers feeding overhead, but had a sleeker silhouette. Wings held in alignment. |
| Head | Did not see orange crown. Face "dirtier" than a YEWA. Pale olive-gray eye-line from beak through the eye. Pale-yellow broken eye-ring. Sharply pointed beak. Pale-yellow throat and nape a bit more olivey-gray-yellow. |
| Feet & Bill | Bill, long in relation to the distance between eye and bill. Sharply pointed. |
| Upper Back | Pale olivey-gray-yellow throughout the back and wings. |
| Lower Back & Rump | Same as above. |
| Wings | Wings held in alignment, not drooping. No wing-bars. |
| Breast, Belly, Flanks, Under Tail Coverts | Blurry marks on breast, pale yellow belly, flanks and undertail coverts. |
| Tail | Yellow undertail coverts stood out against the darker tail. Significant tail extending beyond wingtips. |
| IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different? | Yellow and Tennessee Warbler were eliminated as possibilities. Eye-line and broken eye-ring and muted yellow color ruled out YEWA. Yellow color throughout, paler eye-line and yellow undertail coverts vs. white undertail coverts ruled out TEWA. |
| This report was written from notes taken: | Immediately After |
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