ML621583477

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

A very drab-colored Bell's Vireo with a substantial bill deformity. Would suspect a vireo with this substantial of a bill deformity would have difficulty grabbing ahold of its prey items (e.g., caterpillars and such). If this was the case, I would think the bird would have to be a juvenile, but couldn't confirm this from the few photos that were obtained. There seems to be some molt taking place in the wing coverts (appears to be missing many greater and median coverts), which seems odd for a juvenile at this point in time. In addition to the odd bill, the shape of the crown looks odd to me (very flat on top, with sort of a slight bump at the rear of the crown). The shape of the crown, however, appears more normal in the one image of the bird after it had flown up in to the oak just above the drip bath.

Observation details

Family group in the backyard for a while, and a singing male heard in a neighboring backyard. Managed to get some photos of what's presumed to be a very drab BEVI that had come down to the 'drip bath'. Noticed it had something odd about the bill, and after later examining the photos, I was surprised to see the bird showed a pronounced bill deformity, the bill tips crossing about half-way out its length, with a fairly substantial displacement. Don't believe I've ever seen any species of vireo with a bill deformity. (Mediocre quality photos to be attached.)

Technical information

Model

DSC-RX10M4

ISO

400

Flash

Flash did not fire

Dimensions

1747 pixels x 1261 pixels

Original file size

270.67 KB