When I wrote the post for birding on Saturday, September 7, 2019, I inadvertently included photos for an Orange-crowned warbler instead of what I perceive is my best case for a MacGillivray’s warbler. I had at least SIX separate visits from warblers that all appeared somewhat similar and I had to sort and identify a total of 190 photos that I had RETAINED for that day!

The photos below are the photos that I meant to post of what I thought was a MacGillivray’s warbler. Note the gray hood on the front of the bird, something I haven’t seen on any Orange-crowned warblers. (My spelling checker just tried to change ‘Orange’ to ‘Organic’!) Note also the separated eye ring which is a characteristic of both species. However, Sibley doesn’t show any noticeable striping on the wings or tail but notes a “usually whitish throat”, which this bird seems to have.

For comparison, the image below is one of what I feel certain is an Orange-crowned warbler that I took on 9/11/2019.

The bottom line is, I don’t know whether the photos of the bird I took 9/7/2019 are a MacGillivray’s or not. I can say I’ve photographed MANY Orange-crowned warblers and don’t remember any displaying a gray hood like this bird. Absent an expert weighing in, you’ll have to be the judge! As I hinted in that previous post, such are the complications of attempting to identify fall warblers.