Having observed this bird with Brandon on 12/21 my thoughts are leaning more towards Pacific Wren than Winter and call was definitely Pacific Wren. I didn't get a good look at the throat, but it didn't appear to be whitish. In 40+ years of off and on birding I've seen several Winter Wrens and this bird was noticeably darker/distinct from these. Brandon's photo (taken in overcast conditions) seems to show a lighter throat on this bird, but certainly not a lighter "bib" blending into light brown like many Winter Wrens. This bird's breast seemed darker than Winter Wren.
Now, comparing Brandon's 12/21 photos with Ebird photos could lead one to believe there's a Winter Wren "grandparent" in this bird's ancestry. And, with Brandon also questioning the bird, I moved my report on Ebird into the "Pacific/Winter Wren" catagory just to err on the safe side.
There was a discussion about this time a year ago of a similar bird that was observed at Walden Ponds. I believe it was decided by most the bird was a Winter Wren. I believe also someone theorized the existence of a "tweener" population of Rocky Mountain individuals with characteristics of both Pacific and Winter which sounds plausible. Unlike the Walden Ponds observations, the Canon City observations are complicated by at least two other Stub-tailed Wrens in the immediate area.
Comments?
Chris Knight
Northglenn, CO
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