ML45772251

Age and sex

Unknown age, Unknown sex - X

Media notes

The bird spent most of its time on the ground under a large conifer along the trail through the native plant garden. Maybe the most obvious identifying character was the bird's incessant dipping of its tail, typical of this species. At this time of year it's nearly impossible to assign and age or sex to the individual. It does appear to be undergoing its prealternate molt, which is mostly restricted to head molt (especially the crown feathers). No reddish feathers were clearly visible in the field or in these photos. Photo by Alice Cahill.

Observation details

Seen incredibly well at about 15 meters away. The bird spent most of its time on the ground under a large conifer along the trail through the native plant garden. Small and brownish overall, with blurry grayish streaking on the upper breast and a little in the flanks. Short tail and wings (relatively), made the bird seem fairly compact. Thin, pointed bill, tapering towards the tip was fairly typical of most North American wood-warblers. My eyes were immediately drawn to the bird's bright yellow undertail coverts. Slight yellowish wash to upper breast. Maybe the most obvious identifying character was the bird's incessant dipping of its tail, typical of this species. I suppose one could confuse this bird with an American Pipit though the highly vegetated forest habitat, consistent ticking of tail (not the slow, bouncy bob of a pipit's tail) and it's contrasting yellow undertail coverts, along with overall structure, eliminate this possibility. Photo by Alice Cahill.

Technical information

Dimensions

1902 pixels x 1268 pixels

Original file size

1.61 MB