Tweeters,

While viewing Joseph Higbee's excellent photos of the Bay-breasted Warbler I
noticed something that some of you may find interesting. Like the Marymoor
Baltimore Oriole, the Bay-breasted is a second-year (SY) male, born last
summer. Looking at the first 4 photos notice how much browner the tertails
and the exposed primaries are compared the grey wing-coverts. Flight
feathers that are this faded this early in the year can only be retained
juvenile feathers grown while the bird was in the nest last summer.
Additionally, the pattern of retained tertails and primaries contrasting
with much fresher covert is also strongly suggestive of a SY bird. If you
look closely at the Marymoor oriole you'll see the it shows a similar
pattern. The fact that the Bay-breasted is a young male may be the reason
why he is singing a weird song. It's pretty neat to think that this bird
was was born last summer in Canada, likely spend the winter in northern
South America, and has now made its way to Washington before its even a year
old! Good luck to everyone who looks for it this weekend, its an awesome
bird. Thanks to Joseph for posting some great photos.

Cameron Cox
Nikon Birding Specialist
Seattle, WA