Tricky Geothlypis Warbler – Harrisburg, PA

Check out these photos taken by Sue Hannon of a Geothlypis warbler found today in Highspire Park near Harrisburg, PA. The bird is absolutely a Mourning OR MacGillivray’s Warbler, but which one? The eyering is thicker on the top of the eye and below the eye, but there is a narrow line connecting them behind the eye. The white-ish throat, blue patch on the upper breast, and long tail are also good field marks for MacGillivray’s Warbler, not to mention it is November 22nd. Let’s hope the bird sticks around for more birders to study and photograph tomorrow, but in the meantime – what do you think? Here is the link to all of Sue’s photos. There is only one record of MacGillivray’s Warbler in PA.

Unknown Geothlypis Warbler - Harrisburg, PA (Photo by Sue Hannon)

Unknown Geothlypis Warbler – Harrisburg, PA (Photo by Sue Hannon)

Unknown Geothlypis Warbler - Harrisburg, PA (Photo by Sue Hannon)

Unknown Geothlypis Warbler – Harrisburg, PA (Photo by Sue Hannon)

Unknown Geothlypis Warbler - Harrisburg, PA (Photo by Sue Hannon)

Unknown Geothlypis Warbler – Harrisburg, PA (Photo by Sue Hannon)

Unknown Geothlypis Warbler - Harrisburg, PA (Photo by Sue Hannon)

Unknown Geothlypis Warbler – Harrisburg, PA (Photo by Sue Hannon)

I have few examples of Mourning or MacGillivray’s to post as a comparison, but here is a photo of a MacGillivray’s Warbler that was captured and banded in South Carolina this fall by Josh Lefever.

MacGillivray's Warbler (Photo by Josh Lefever)

MacGillivray’s Warbler (Photo by Josh Lefever)

MacGillivray's Warbler (Photo by Josh Lefever)

MacGillivray’s Warbler (Photo by Josh Lefever)