After looking through ID books, I actually think that this bird is actually a juvenile Tenessee Warbler (see Sibley's paining for 1st winter female TEWA).
Tim Hicks
06-Jun-2006 12:56
The overall coloration suggests Worm eating Warbler. The bill shape suggests Worm eating Warbler or Swainson's Warbler. I think it's a Worm eating Warbler because there are no wing markings, and the bird seems to have the buffy or carmel color on the breast which also indicates a Worm eating Warbler. The broken eye ring is more prominent than the Swanson's Warbler and the coloration on the head (though not neatly groomed yet) shows the blackish color of the Worm eating Warbler and not the rufous color of the Swainson's Warbler. The bill seems blackish rather than light colored which would also favor the Worm eating Warbler and looking at the pinkish base of the bill makes me think of a very young bird which is losing its young bird gape. Let's get a hair dryer on this thing, age it a little, and see what we have. These challenges are what keeps the interest in birding. Great picture.
Alex Lin-Moore
05-Jun-2006 23:58
I think that this is a wet juvenile/female Yellow Warbler. The bill seems the proper shape, and it is pretty yellow.
