WarblerWatch

Got wood-warbler questions? If so, I have answers for you. I'm Daniel Edelstein — biologist, birding guide, birding instructor (www.warblerwatch.com and danieledelstein@att.net) — who ponders: Are there any wonders in our world more fascinating than the elegant beauty of wood-warblers? (All photos © Martin Meyers unless otherwise noted.) By the way, my upcoming new adult college birding class is featured at: http://danielsmerrittclasses.blogspot.com/

Friday, December 17, 2010

Warbler Guy, what are the latest bird name changes (in the 51st AOU Checklist supplement)?

Good question, Jeremy (one of my most frequent Warbler Guy inquirers).

Check out David Sibley's article about the latest American Ornithological Union-based common bird name changes at:

http://www.sibleyguides.com/2010/07/bird-name-changes-in-the-51st-aou-checklist-supplement/

At this link, you'll see name changes at both the genera (scientic name) and common name level for North American songbirds. For wood-warblers, only scientific name changes have occurred, principally in the genera Vermivora and Seirus (with the latter, after the changes, now containing ONLY one member: Ovenbird).

By the way, changes in the common names of birds is available for purchase at the AOU's web site where you can obtain the 51st Annual AOU Checklist Supplement.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Warbler Guy, how did so many kinds of wood-warblers evolve?

Joe (in Kincaid, OR), I'll answer that excellent question more fully soon, but first let me point you to an
excellent related article in a birding blog:

http://dendroica.blogspot.com/2008/07/evolution-of-wood-warblers.html

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Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla chryseola)

MacGillivray's Warbler

Among songbird species returning to the Bay Area (CA) for the breeding season, MacGillivray's Warbler is an annual nester that is typically never common (ala the Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, and Orange-crowned Warbler -- all of which have a presence that is usually more obvious as breeders in the Bay Area. That is to say, McGillivray's is indeed present as a breeder, but only locally common in suitable habitat, such as within Mitchell Canyon in the Clayton/Walnut Creek-based Mt. Diablo State Park.) (Photo credit: Martin Meyers ©)