Yellow-throated Warbler? Texas USA (1 Viewer)

[jonsund]

Spotted this Warbler at Galveston Island State Park today. I have two images for evaluation. We think it is a Yellow-throated Warbler but there is more red on its neck than we have seen in any of the Birding Guides. What do you think it is?

 

[DarkFireFalcon]

Definitely a Yellow-throated Warbler. Never seen one with red on the neck, did that show up in the field, or just photos?

 

[Bird_Bill]

Agree, could some sort of staining be ruled out?
Early for mulberries yet, but fruits such as that can stain. Draws the insects that attracts the birds

 

[jonsund]

Definitely a Yellow-throated Warbler. Never seen one with red on the neck, did that show up in the field, or just photos?

You, could se the red on the neck in the field not just in the images. The staining theory, offered by some sounds good to me.

 

[Tiraya]

It is symmetrical and perfectly aligned which is always interesting. It doesn't "bleed" over the yellow edge on each side of the throat for instance.

I've encountered some plants before that usually have pink flowers. One time I found one that had this dark purple center which the others never had. It could just be a freak expression of the red pigment, but usually this would apply to that entire pigment area not half of it.

 

[Nutcracker]

Could well be pollen staining, if it's been feeding on nectar from flowers with red pollen. The symmetry of the flower would result in symmetrical staining.

 

[Tiraya]

Yeah it could also just be caused by regular foraging habits which expose the same part of the bird to the pollen/stain. Even if it was uneven at first it would eventually average out.

 

[Nutcracker]

An example of what pollen can do:

http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/Publ...angeheadedbirdspecies/tabid/1026/Default.aspx

 

[Tiraya]

Best known in hummingbirds!