Arizona Dreamin’

By laurie54

Sharing Space

The bird with the yellow crown is a Verdin.  It is the first one I've been able to grab this year.  The bird below it is a bit of a mystery to me.  I've been trying to identify it for a couple of hours.  It's the yellow directly under the beak that is throwing me off.  At first I thought it had a bi-colored beak. After scouring three books and the Petersen Field Guide app, I have come to conclude that the yellow must be pollen.

My best (educated) guess is that the completely gray bird is indeed a Gray Vireo.  I based that on the very thin white eye ring, the thin, white wing bar and the look of the eye.  The problem with this identification is that usually summers at a slightly higher elevation than the 3000 feet at my home.

The only other possibility is the "Arizona" Bell's Vireo.  That bird is  about 0.75 inches longer. (5.5 vs 4.75 in.).  The Verdin, in comparison, is about  4.5 inches in length.  Compare them the best you can in this photo and tell me what you think.
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EDIT:
I just consulted my friend, Alma, who knows a whole heck of a lot about birds than me. We've come to the conclusion that is  a JUVENILE  VERDIN!

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