> It is hoped that future posters on this topic are
> better informed.
>
> Better yet, let's end the discussion. The level of
> ignorance is mind blowing.
>
> Tim (not a falconer)
> King County
> tgronseth at yahoo.com

Actually, Tim, ignorance is something which is understood as a place where
even the likes of you began in birding. Pedantry, snobbery, and massive
egos, rampant in birding, are not. Unlike you, Michael Dossett took the
time to write me a very informative, tho also pointedly condescending,
letter from which I've learned a great deal and apologize regarding my
comments about falconers not contributing to the survival of the species.
It did not change my opinion regarding their being able to steal wild birds
from their nests.

However, I hope that some reading this thread will be moved to consider the
spirit of my comments. The details are really irrelevant as to any given
species. While birders carry on about feather patterns being slightly
different on this or that bird, we're losing habitat and bird populations at
an alarming pace.

I might also add that I had an arctic falcon visit my yard recently to hunt
because I provide food for a wide variety of birds and other wildlife, not
because I know every detail about them, but because I feel an obligation to
them. When I called the Birdbox to report the falcon, I was required to
answer how many species of chickadees there are in the state before I could
even report this bird. I'm sure many of you are rolling your eyes at
finding such a simple question offensive, but it wasn't necessary to know
this to be able to identify this bird as an arctic falcon. I hung up in
disgust and simply sent them an e-mail. I have at least 3 different types
of chickadees in my yard - I don't know how many more there are - it's of
only academic interest to me - and I also had a pair of Mandarin ducks
frequent my yard daily this year, dismissed as "escapees" by the birding
community. So be it. I do what I can to help wildlife - their exact ID is
of much less importance to me.

Christine
Everett