Subject: Eastern Towhee?
Date: Dec 30 16:12:01 2003
From: Dennis Rockwell - denrockwell at surfbest.net


I remember reading somewhere that an occasional WESTERN TOWHEE occurs sans white spots, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, where even the usual ones display less white in the scapulars, coverts & tertials than those in the Southwest & on the Great Plains. So, did the bird you saw that didn't seem to have red eyes have bright white eyes? If it did, then it very well may be an EASTERN TOWHEE. Still, even if it is, you're going to need to get some "birding hotshot" to confirm it, because for amateurs like you and I, even photographs aren't sufficient to confirm an I.D.

Dennis Rockwell Kennewick, WA denrockwell at surfbest.net

----- Original Message -----
From: Lydia Gaebe Bishop
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 10:20 AM
Subject: Eastern Towhee?


The gang little birds has returned with some larger tag-alongs.

One was a TOWHEE for sure, but I think it was an EASTERN TOWHEE. It was a male, but did not have the dark red eyes one associates with a Western Towhee. I keep going back to my window in hopes it again kicks its way out from under the rhodie bush.

The JUNCOS are out in force, along with a few SONG SPARROWS, the GOLD CROWN KINGLETS, and BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEES.

Also a pair of VARIED THRUSHES just passed through.

But I'm really interested in the Towhee....Was it an Eastern? Or just hiding its white and the light playing tricks on me?

Lydia In Everett,

Just East of Highway 9, southwest of Lake Stevens
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