Subject: [Tweeters] Book Conflict - Question RE: Merlin, Thurston County,
Date: Nov 16 15:05:07 2009
From: Kevin Purcell - kevinpurcell at pobox.com


On Nov 14, 2009, at 1:16 PM, Yelm Backyard Wildlife wrote:

> I really enjoyed reading the differences between the subspecies of
> Merlin, the photo's, drawings, and comparisons in each title were
> helpful. I, however, believe them to be as clear as MUD. If my bird
> were to be a confirmed Merlin, it would be a richardsonii according to
> Sibley's; A male "Prairie richardsonii" according to Smithsonian. And
> a male "richardsonii" according to National Geographic. Peterson's
> Field Guide indicates in word description to be a male "Prairie"
> Merlin but of the "suckleyi" variety in its drawing or illustration,
> (which Kelly McAllister has stated was mismarked, incorrect, or
> mis-identified.)

There's only one error here: the subspecific labels are mixed up on
the illustration in the Third Edition of the Western Peterson. Good
catch. They should be (left to right on p187): "Pacific" (suckleyi),
"Taiga" (columbaris - the nominate subspecies) and
"Prairie" (richardsonii). The subspecific labels move "one to the
right".

This is corrected in the (new) Big Peterson where they switched to
using "toponymic" race names ("Taiga", "Prairie" and "Pacific") but
mention the subspecific names in the text correctly matching them to
the toponymic races. And I'm sure will be fixed in a future new
Western (if they release it).

Smithsonian uses both toponymic race names ("Taiga") and the
subspecific names. Pick one or the other as user preference.

Sibley only uses the toponymic race names in both my Big (200, first
printing) and Small/Western (2003).

Nat Geo 5th (and the Nat Geo Western which has more callouts on the
illustrations) uses only the subspecific names.

The latest Princeton Western Birds guide uses the subspecific names in
the text but shows photos of only the nominate race.

Different field guide writers make different choices.

> The Merlin photos/illustrations available in five titles do not
> compare to the actual bird in flight with its smooth lying feathers
> and incredible agility! Each illustration and photograph is different
> from the other.
>
>
> It is no wonder that one would easily call my bird a Sharp shinned
> Hawk.
> It is no wonder that one would easily call my bird a Merlin.

Aside from the wingshape, bodyplan and flight style which are a bit
different between the two :-) but "Hawks in Flight" can help you find
the differences in flight better than the field guides to tell them
easily apart with a little practice.

And more than you every wanted to know about "The SUBSPECIES and
MIGRATION PATTERNS Of MERLINS" which is a good overview of the
literature and even mentions the Peterson error.

http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/Merlie/LitSurvey.html

One thing is worth quoting:

> I have thought for some time that "Merlie" the Merlin, who has been
> coming back to a tree near our house for 10 years (as of 2001) is a
> Black Merlin (F.c. suckleyi). HOWEVER, after a moreCareful Visual
> Study, I am NOW fairly cetain that he is a Taiga Merlin (F.c.
> columbarius).

And that only took 10 years and photos too :-)

In general, I wouldn't worry too much about subspecies names unless
you are taking photos and can muse over the differences and are really
interested in different population groups. They vary in color. They
vary in size. And they appear intergrade too. And I think that's the
main reason for moving from subspecific names to the toponymic race
names as you don't have to remember the mapping from one to the other
but can say that's more like an X. Or you can just say it was dark or
light.

[obligatory rant about subspecies and clines omitted :-)]
--
Kevin Purcell
kevinpurcell at pobox.com
twitter: at kevinpurcell