Comments from Kenn Kaufman

Date:          Mon, 13 Jan 1997 22:13:25 -0800
From:          kennk@ix.netcom.com (Kenn Kaufman )
Subject:       Guess what
To:            cwcook@acpub.duke.edu

-------Will:  Interesting bird!  Thanks, I think, for sharing it with 
the rest of us!

    I'm not ready to stick my neck out with an opinion on the NC 
mystery bird, but these are some points I found interesting:
    1.  In the comments posted so far, I was surprised not to see any 
mention of the White-throated Sparrow X Dark-eyed Junco hybrid 
possibility.  That's SUCH a frequent hybrid combination that it was the 
first thing that came to mind when I read your note on WGBIRD01, before 
I had even looked at the photos.  That combo would explain a couple of 
things, including the pale bill.  Admittedly, none of the details I've 
seen on White-throat X Junco hybrids have been for birds with solidly 
dark heads -- a little of the White-throat pattern usually seems to 
show through.
    2.  Comments all seem to be based on general impressions, and not 
on analysis of specific characteristics.  I was looking at the black 
streaks on the back and scapulars, and the black centers on the greater 
coverts; these are very much like the pattern seen in some sparrow 
genera close to Zonotrichia, and not like any plumage of towhees or any 
race of Fox Sparrow.  The lack of white tips on the greater coverts and 
white edges on the tertials makes the wing pattern not quite like 
White-throat or the other Zonotrichia; perhaps hybridization with some 
plain-winged species could cancel out these white areas.
    3.  I don't see anything in the photos to suggest a towhee, so I'm 
surprised that this has been such a popular theory.
    4.  Field identification of hybrids is a pursuit fraught with 
uncertainty.  If the bird's host doesn't want the bird disturbed, I 
respect that.  But if you guys want to have more than guesses as to the 
bird's identity, it would be a really good idea to call in some bander 
so that the bird could be thoroughly measured and photographed in the 
hand.
    But in the meantime, it will be good for lots of debate!

Kenn Kaufman
Tucson, AZ