Hi Doug,

Thanks for your inquiry on some of the birds seen on our recent field trip. My disclaimer is that I, too, am also learning and still have a long way to go. Having said that, my advice towards learning any of the birds you have in question is simply, and most respectfully, is to practice, practice, practice. Find opportunities to go in the field with more experienced birders; people that can help you accurately confirm what you think you have seen/heard. It is great to go birding by yourself, or equal-level birds, but to gain experience with seasoned birders really helps to solidify your knowledge. Check out the field trips and courses offered through your local Audubon chapters, etc.
The eight birds you inquired about all have a little different answer as far as whether I use sound to identify them. There is a definite advantage to gaining comfort with the calls/songs of all the birds you asked about due to the fact that they tend to be in Washington during the heavily tree-leafed time of year, coupled with the preference of several of these species to hang out high in the trees. You just can't see them! But, it is equally important to understand their habitat and seasonal range. The Pacific-slope Flycatcher is more likely to be found in a shaded forest environment (again, at the very top of those trees...) while an Olive-sided Flycatcher will typically be at higher elevations (above sea-level), often in the open, on the highest perch available. The Vireo's are similar with their distinguishing preferences. Chances of seeing a Red-eyed Vireo in the Puget Sound region are slim, but head towards the pass, or on to the east side, your probability increases. The Warblers have enough variation in topography that I (personally) lean more towards their field marks for identification. Once you get an idea of which species you are likely to see in certain habitat's, it really helps with the process of elimination of unlikely species. So, it's not an easy answer. Calls and songs are critical to understand, but it is not inclusive.
So, really, my final advice to any beginning birder is to just get out there, and know that it is OK to misidentify. Enjoy what you are learning. The experienced birders on our field trip worked hard to distinguish between a Hutton's Vireo and a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. They are two very different birds, yet remarkable similar, but still debated by a spectrum of knowledgable birders. We had fun, respected each other's opinion, and if all of us were wrong, the bird is no worse the wear for it, and we all helped each other learn a little more bout the differences between the two species.

Enjoy.

Shelley Horn
On Aug 1, 2011, at 1:00 PM, Doug Schurman wrote:

> Hello Shelly,
>
> Sounds like you had a great trip.
>
> I?ve been birding about 1 year and had some questions about the following 8 birds on your list. Do you primarily use sound to identify these? I have never seen any of these yet. I?m working on my birding by ear skills but have a long ways to go.
>
> Olive-sided Flycatcher
> Pacific-slope Flycatcher
> Warbling Vireo
> Red-eyed Vireo
> Hutton's Vireo
> Orange-crowned Warbler
> Black-throated Gray Warbler
> MacGillivray's Warbler
>
> Thanks so much,
> Doug Schurman
> Seattle ? Olympic Hills
>
> From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu [mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Shelley Horn
> Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 12:25 PM
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Subject: [Tweeters] Lazuli Bunting at Three Forks off-leash Park, Snoqualmie
>
> Scott Ramos and I co-led a Seattle Audubon field-trip yesterday (07/31/11) to Rattlesnake Ridge, with side trips to Traditions Plateau and Three Forks off-leash park, all in the Snoqualmie area. We had a great group of ten, ranging from experienced birders to enthusiastic new birders, as well as a bonus of excellent and abundant botany knowledge. Thanks to everyone for contributing towards a delightful day.
> Our early start found the birds still hunkered down in the morning mist at Tradition Plateau, although we had some great close-up views of Wilson's Warbler and Cedar Waxwing, as well as Pileated Woodpecker. We then headed to Rattlesnake Ridge, hiking about five miles round-trip, again much of it in a light mist with a temp around 67 degrees. Highlights included a female MacGillivray's Warbler escorting a juvenile, with multiple opportunities to study Willow Flycatchers, Olive-sided Flycatchers, Western Wood-pewee's and Hutton's Vireo's as well as a roost of Band-tailed Pigeon's exceeding over 25 in one tree.
> As the cloud's parted, we decided to have one last stop at the Three Forks off-least park in Snoqualmie. When one of the first birds we saw was a Peregrine Falcon and the sun was finally overpowering the day-long clouds, it was already a worthwhile stop. The highlight of the day was the opportunity to see a male Lazuli Bunting, but perhaps even more impressive was the female Lazuli steadfastly holding onto a caterpillar anxiously waiting to feed the juveniles just out of our sight. We soaked in their beauty as long as we could, and then let them have their privacy to feed their awaiting fledglings.
>
> Shelley Horn
>
> Birds for the day included:
>
> Canada Goose
> Mallard
> Hooded Merganser
> Peregrine Falcon
> Red-tailed Hawk
> Turkey Vulture
> Band-tailed Pigeon
> Rufous Hummingbird
> Belted Kingfisher
> Northern Flicker
> Pileated Woodpecker
> Olive-sided Flycatcher
> Pacific-slope Flycatcher
> Western Wood-Pewee
> Warbling Vireo
> Red-eyed Vireo
> Hutton's Vireo
> Stellar's Jay
> Violet-green Swallow
> Barn Swallow
> Cliff Swallow
> Black-capped Chickadee
> Chestnut-backed Chickadee
> Red-breasted Nuthatch
> Bewick's Wren
> Pacific Wren
> Golden-crowned Kinglet
> Swainson's Thrush
> American Robin
> Cedar Waxwing
> Orange-crowned Warbler
> Wilson's Warbler
> Yellow Warbler
> Black-throated Gray Warbler
> MacGillivray's Warbler
> Common Yellowthroat
> Western Tanager
> Lazuli Bunting
> Black-headed Grosbeak
> Spotted Towhee
> Savannah Sparrow
> Song Sparrow
> Dark-eyed Junco
> Brown-headed Cowbird
> Red Crossbill
> House Finch
> Purple Finch
> American Goldfinch
> Pine Siskin
>