ML174625611

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

The second of what was likely two Ovenbirds seen today was found by Andrew Howe and here photographed by Curtis A. Marantz on 4 June 2019 over the barbecue pits at the Silver Saddle Ranch and Club, Galileo Hill, Kern County, California.

Observation details

I saw this morning single Ovenbirds at two locations that were likely far enough apart to indicate that they represented different individuals. I spotted the first bird walking on the ground amid Creosote Bushes near the inner entrance gate to the property just west of the stables, where I was able to get reasonable views but only two rather mediocre to poor photos before I lost it when it flew in the direction of the stable buildings. Quite some time later, I think it was Andrew who spotted the same or another Ovenbird, which when I arrived was up in the trees over the barbecue pits, where I was able to get reasonable views and some clearly identifiable photos from a moderate distance. I never heard either of these birds vocalize. Unfortunately, I do not think my photos of these birds are sufficient to be of much use in determining if they represented the same or different birds. I saw the first bird mostly as it was walking away from me over open ground under the Creosotes, when I noted that this was a small, plump bird with a short bill that was at least relatively slim, a rounded crown on a head of unremarkable size, a short neck, and a plump body. I cannot recall noting the wing length or if the tail was cocked upward at an angle, but the legs were relatively long and conspicuous. This bird was mostly a brownish-olive on the head, upperparts, wings, and tail, and I noted no pattern on the wings or tail; however, I could see clearly a white eyering and that the crown had a orange median-stripe that was bordered on either side by black lateral-stripes. The underparts were white with black streaking that was bold and sharply defined as it extended across the breast and sides and to at least some extent down the belly and flanks. This bird clearly had dark eyes and pinkish to flesh-colored legs, but I cannot remember noting the color of the bill. Given that I saw the second bird up in the trees, I saw it from a greater distance, but it was not moving as much (though it did walk along some of the branches). I saw this bird mostly from below, so my views of its underparts were better than those of the upperparts. The small size and plump shape were similar to those of the bird seen earlier. Further apparent was that the underparts were white with black streaking across the breast and sides and down onto the belly and flanks that was sharply demarcated. I have some recollection that the throat was white and unmarked, but also bordered on either side by a black malar-stripe. The head, wings, and what I could see of the upperparts were dark and brownish in color. I did not see any markings on the wings, but the white eyering was conspicuous as it encircled the dark eye. My recollection is that I saw at least some suggestion of the black stripes on the crown, but I did not see this as well as I did on the bird seen earlier in the day and I cannot remember if I saw the orange median-stripe on this bird. The bull was short and slim, but I cannot remember its coloration. The pinkish or flesh-colored legs were clearly evident, however.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Lens

EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

ISO

800

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/1000 sec

Dimensions

961 pixels x 691 pixels

Original file size

1.04 MB