Subject: Re: Sightings on 11-6
Date: Nov 6 20:31:03 1997
From: Kelly Cassidy - kelly at salmo.cqs.washington.edu


On Thu, 6 Nov 1997, Noyes wrote:
[..that she saw a Green-tailed Towhee in Port Angeles and wonders if these
are rare.]

Very. Why do you think it was a Green-tailed Towhee?

Most field guides have range maps. As a rule, if you a bird outside of
its breeding, wintering, or migration range, you can assume it's highly
unlikely. In that case, you take another close and careful look, and,
better yet, write down every detail about the bird. Pay special attention
to "diagnostic features". Those are the field marks that are most
reliable in distinguishing the bird from other species. Most field guides
will clearly indicate which features are diagnostic. Which field guide
are you using? Field guides with photographs (like the Audubon guide) are
most difficult for beginners. Peterson's or the Golden Guide is probably
the best to start with.

Kelly Cassidy -- Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Box 357980, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195
kelly at u.washington.edu --- 206-685-4195 --- 206-368-8076