While birding today, I was reminded of another aberration in the NG guide
that was not corrected in the new release -- even though they made changes
on that page.

In the NG guide, the Common Yellowthroat is illustrated with yellow all
the way to the undertail coverts. In life, at least around here, the
yellow stops at the bottom of the chest -- the belly and undertail are very
white, with possibly some yellow on the undertail of the male. The NG
guide does mention "adults vary geographically in extent of yellow below,"
but all five! illustrations show yellow all the way to the undertail.

The Peterson's West and Eastern/Central guides both show the white belly
and undertail (although the male appears to have a yellow wash on the
undertail), and mention "white belly." Ditto for the Golden Guide. The
All The Birds guide shows and mentions a white belly and yellow undertail.

Is the bird really this variable? Shouldn't the NG guide show the white?

Jerry


E-mail from: Jerry Blinn

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