Update Jan 04, 2006: I've added some comparison pics of normal-looking Tropical and Northern Parulas - see bottom of page:
This Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi-type
bird was singing next to Willow Pond #1 at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo County, TX
on May 14, 2005:
Note following features that suggest this bird has some Northern Parula Parula americana
genes in it:-
- the strong white crescents below the eye on the right side and
both above and below the eye on the left side.
- the yellow of the breast-sides/flanks ending only just level
with the lower wing bar (and short of it in the center of the
breast.)
- a band of grayish color on the breast-sides at the bend of the
wing.
- the malar area, while mostly yellow, has some elements of gray
admixed, creating a fuzzy boundary with the gray face.
- the suggestion of dark tipping to some feathers of the lower
throat (some of this effect is caused by shadowing - but perhaps
not all.) Update: here is a normal-looking Tropical:
... and a normal-looking Northern:
