ML84762681

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

Birds 1&2

Observation details

Initially heard and didn't sound like Red-crowned/Lilac-crowned Parrot or Red-masked/Mitred Parakeet, the fairly expected psittacids in San Diego, had the distinct sound of a smaller parakeet. Found perched, these were small parakeets and the yellow in the wing was immediately obvious, initially pointing at Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, a species I know fairly well. However as individuals turned and preened, white became more visible in the wing, and then at least 5 birds flew, with the two that I saw well showing a clear large white flash in the inner remiges and the other birds all appearing to have far more pale/white in the wing than Yellow-chevroned should. Refound perched in another tree and I was able to get better views of 4 of the birds perched and diagnostic photos of 4 of them. White seen both on the wrist of the folded wing and above the blue outer primaries below the coverts as the birds moved around. The two birds I had the best view of were mutually preening nearly constantly for 10+ minutes. When the flock flew again it appeared there might have been 6-7 birds but I'll leave 5 as the safer count. I was able to seewhite in the flight feathers of 5 individuals the second time they flew. Perched views and photos also show bluer tones to the crown and breast and more of a spectacled look than Yellow-chevroned shows. I have no idea if there are intergrades with Yellow-chevroned around but I didn't see any birds that looked to be typical Yellow-chevroned in this small flock and don't have any good open-wing or flight photos.

Technical information

Model

DSC-RX10M4

Lens

8.8-220mm f/2.4-4.0

ISO

100

Focal length

220 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/4.0

Shutter speed

1/800 sec

Dimensions

1176 pixels x 1017 pixels

Original file size

388.12 KB