I always enjoy seeing migrant flocks of robins in the spring. Typically there are some really sharp looking males in the bunch - contrasting plumage with rich colour. Recently though, this male caught my eye. Overall it was quite dark!
I actually had my point-and-shoot camera in my hand, so I decided to snap some photos. I made sure I got a few of the back, given that "atlantic" birds are typically described as being darker (Black-backed subspecies or something?!)
Not that I actually thought I was dealing with anything too funky - but it did strike me as odd. I can only imagine that we (as birders) often see common species from the "wrong" area - (eg,/ an "overshoot" Chipping Sparrow that typically hangs out in Ohio that ends up at Pelee this May - we'd never know the difference).
Could that be the case with this fella? Who knows! Sibley has a post online talking about how it is likely little more than variation - that is more common in the NE: http://www.sibleyguides.com/bird-info/american-robin/
As per usual, different light/camera angles tended to change the appearance at times, but overall I was confident that this wasn't a "run of the mill" bird, even if he's a local... The throat was quite dark, and the few times I saw it fly - there was little white in the tail.
Just a little fun! Only 3 weeks until the reallly crazy vagrants are around (if not sooner!) Thursday and Sunday will be our first blasts of SW winds. Maybe something like an Avocet will be found?
Neat looking American Robin. Def. a candidate for T. m. nigrideus - good eye. I had a richly marked male robin visit our backyard bird bath this aft. Blackish hood, all-dark throat, rich coloration all-round. I didn't get a pic of it - hopefully tomorrow. Anyhow - I was intrigued enough by it to launch a bit of a online search binge, and came across your blog entry. See also Bruce Mactavish's post on Newfoundland AMRO's (just came across it a few min ago): http://brucemactavish1.blogspot.ca/. Good birding.
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