Re: [Maine-birds] episodic photo quiz

Starting at lower left, a BAGO, then clockwise from that bird; COGO,COGO,BAGO,BAGO. All female birds.

I'm basing this primarily on bill shape and the extent and shape of the yellow pattern on the bill. The two upper-left birds appear to have longer bills than the others and have distinct yellow tips. The bills on the two birds at right look a bit stubbier with mostly yellow bills that kind of diffuses into the black - not a sharp break. The lower left bird might be younger since it appears to have a darker eye and the yellow on the bill has not extended as much on the bill as the birds at right. Its yellow does appear to be going up the bill on the top and side.

I might be putting too much emphasis on the bills, as head shape could lead me to a different conclusion. The top bird has a very steep BAGO type forehead but I think the clean break to a yellow tip is quite rare in a BAGO and its bill looks long so I'll stick with a
COGO. Similarly that lumpish look, stuck out at the rear of the head, on the left most bird makes me think BAGO but I'll stick with COGO on that as well due to the bill. I also think that head shape can be hard to judge with a single photo.

Tough challenge Louis. Did I get any right?

Good Birding,
John


On Apr 19, 2014, at 10:37 AM, Louis Bevier <lrbevier@colby.edu> wrote:

> https://flic.kr/p/ncpq2d
>
> Don't duck the challenge of some subtleties. You can play this puzzle across and down. Have fun!
>
> Louis Bevier
> Fairfield
>
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