ML125669571

Age

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Sex

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Observation details

***mega; amazing rarity seen flying in from south directly off water, probably a direct arrival from Andros, Bahamas, which is about 250 mi east (and we had strong east winds overnight). A few Thick-billeds live in Cuba, which is closer, but wind direction strongly suggests an arrival from Andros, where Thick-bilelds are much more common. Full account, description, and photos below: First spotted by Iliff as it was flying about 5-7 ft off the water and heading straight for the point (we were seawatching about 50m E of the base of the jetty from one of the picnic tables). When spotted, I shouted "passerine!" and ran to the thicket at the base of the jetty, focusing on the seagrape closest to the base of the jetty, since I expected the bird to arrive at that closest patch of vegetation. when I arrived, no bird was evident but within 5-10 seconds I saw a bird arrive in the opposite side of the bush. I did not know what to expect, but had the impression of a bird that was larger than a warbler and possibly a sparrow-sized bird. It was initially invisible behind large Sea Grape leaves but then revealed itself and I instantly recognized it as a Thick-billed Vireo (surprising myself somewhat, since I have never seen the species before and have found some photos of White-eyed/Thick-billed to be confusing). The breast feathers were slightly wet on one side, perhaps from dropping down on the sea! I called for Carl who came over to check it out (he had not heard me yell) and I studied the bird as it sat just a few feet off the ground for about a 45 seconds before Carl arrived. As Carl walked up, it seemed to regain some strength and hopped up in shrubs. I was able to get Carl on the motion and I dashed back for our two cameras, which were back on the picnic table. Careful to make sure the bird did not leave the thicket, I dashed back and found that the vireo had climbed to near the top of the shrubs there and was able to take the first couple photos below. In total it stayed in southernmost thicket for about 4 minutes and then worked its way inland through Australian Pines (20 ft up) in company of Palm Warbler. We tracked it and photographed it in terrible light until we lost it, maybe into main hammock. Relevant field marks included: very large bill for a White-eyed-type vireo, with the bill obviously grayish and with a strong hook on the maxilla. Eye dark brown with only faint contrast with the pupil. Crisp broken whitish eye ring and yellow upper lores created a distinctive face pattern that was unlike White-eyed Vireo. The underparts were washed with yellowish, and not like the white breast with yellow flanks of White-eyed. The head and neck appeared overall olive greenish and lacked the gray neck sides of White-eyed. Bold white wing bars on dull olive wings. The field notes are written 2 Jan 2013 at 6:30 pm, and I did not take detailed field notes at the time, since I instead focused on getting photos. A tough photo subject, but diagnostic photos with SLR:

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