[Tweeters] "Yellow-Bellied Tit" hybrid at Kah Tai Lagoon

[Garrett Haynes]

Dan,

Yes, that seems like a more likely explanation and the color is similar. That would be my first hypothesis then is staining from pollen or something else, and hybridization would need some much heavier evidence. The bird would probably have to be caught and examined, at least physically, and samples taken to test genetics to confirm hybridization of that sort. 

However, if it were truly a hybrid like that somehow that would be pretty amazing. Makes me think of the hybrid warbler I saw in Boston that I think was a cross between a black throated blue and a bay breasted warbler. I watched it from within 10 feet and heard it singing and everything. It had features of both. I ran back to get my camera and when I came back it was gone. C'est la vie. 

Garrett Haynes
Auburn, WA  

Sent from my iPhone


> On Mar 20, 2022, at 4:58 AM, Dan Reiff <dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com> wrote:

> 

> Hello Garret,

> Could the breast feathers be temporarily covered in yellowish pollen?

> Note the similar colors for the pollen on vegetation around it.

> Thanks,

> Dan

> 

> Sent from my iPhone

> 

>>> On Mar 19, 2022, at 11:22 PM, Garrett Haynes <garrettwhaynes at me.com> wrote:

>>> 

>> 

>> Hello Tweeters,

>> 

>> I am wondering what people think about the bird reported as a "yellow-bellied tit" at Kah Tai Lagoon on March 13th. The birder posits that it may be a hybrid chestnut-backed chickadee x yellow-bellied tit due to its having the normal chestnut-backed chickadee features in addition to having a yellow belly. I have no idea about the possibility of a hybrid like this occurring, sounds highly unlikely to me seeing as yellow-bellied tits are in Asia, but I am wondering what explanation there may be for this bird having such a yellow belly?

>> 

>> Here is the link to the eBird report:

>> https://ebird.org/checklist/S105173896

>> 

>> Garrett Haynes

>> Auburn, WA

>> 

>> Sent from my iPhone

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