Townsend's Warbler x Hermit Warbler

Townsend's Warbler x Hermit Warbler hybrid, Sequim (Washington, USA), 28th October 2011 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1378)

Ageing this bird is important to its ID and in response to one suggestion that it might be a young female Townsend's Warbler (and not a hybrid), Steve explains that the moderately streaked back should make it an adult.  The dark cheek patch supports that idea and he goes on to say that it is reminiscent of Hermit Warbler.  It had a grey crown, nape, upper back and  wings plus what he describes as a most peculiar blend of grey, yellow, and white on the throat, all of which (when combined with the Townsend's-like cheek patch) point towards it being a Hermit x Townsend's hybrid. 


The yellow surrounding the auriculars (ear coverts) was a slightly different colour from that of the Townsend's Warbler with it - a bit more "lemony" or perhaps "less saturated" yellow than that of a Townsend's Warbler.

Townsend's Warbler x Hermit Warbler hybrid (with Townsend's Warbler on left in lower photo), Sequim (Washington, USA), 28th October 2011 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 1375-1377)

 

Townsend's Warbler Setophaga townsendi (formerly Dendroica townsendi)
Hermit Warbler Setophaga occidentalis (formerly Dendroica occidentalis)