Date:         Mon, 13 Jun 2005 01:10:37 -0400
Reply-To:     Ken Blankenship <kenhblankenship@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Ken Blankenship <kenhblankenship@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Name That Bird!

Alright... we are currently determining last week's winner so bear with
us! See the site later today for a possible update. There was some
confusion about one of the IDs, proving once again that you should always
be on your toes!

Field ID Notes: Bird #1 appears to us to be a Veery, after further review.
It was originally slated as a Hermit Thrush, but the number of entries
calling the bird a Veery inspired investigation. Note the light,
indistinct spots; a Hermit Thrush would have darker, more pronounced
spots. Less obvious, however, is this bird seems to show a less uniform
and weaker eyering than Hermit Thrush. In the field, of course, when the
bird turns you would look for a contrasting rufous tail in a Hermit Thrush
but in the end this was a difficult angle, which often happens in reality.
Your comments are welcome :) Bird #2 also proved difficult but this ID is
less controversial. A female Purple Finch (which is pictured) is
distinguished from House Finch by a) dark malar stripe, b) dark ear patch,
and most of all by c) the broad white/light stripe behind the eye.

This week's photos are perhaps not so tricky, and feature some busy
breeding Georgia birds taking care of the family! Please enjoy our state's
wonderful birds, and the challenge of identifying them at:

http://www.burtsonline.net/contest/

Ken Blankenship
Marietta, GA (East Cobb County)

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