Greetings All

Mike is correct. The bird in question could be a celata, which probably is a
rare but regular migrant throught the Pac NW. After growing up with these
birds, and studying a number of specimens at the Field Museum (in Chicago-- about
300 OCWA specimens) this spring, I felt that I was incapable of telling the
brighter half of nominate celata from orestera. I have seen a couple birds that
I am confident were celata in WA, but they've been at the dull end of that
races variability. If you've ever been "back east" and seen some of their
Orange-crowned Warblers, Drab Warbler would have been a better name. Indeed, I'd like
to see OCWAs split just so we could have a Drab Warbler and a Lutescent
Warbler.... but taxonomic decisions are usually based on matters other than the
creation of cool bird names.

Regarding the Tufted Duck-- Andy could easily have seen a different bird, but
yes it was last year that I had a hybrid at that location, and at first
blush, David Mandell and I were both yelling Tufted Duck simultaneously. The bird's
back was nearly black, but on good views, some fine gray vermiculations were
visible on the forward portion of the back. Also, a full alternate plumage
Tufty (bright white sides, black back, etc) should have a pretty much full length
tuft; certainly one that falls back and droops behind the head, which our
bird lacked.

Cheers
Steven Mlodinow