[cobirds] "Eastern" Phoebes, that aren't, Jefferson/Douglas Counties

All,

This year has been interesting and odd in so many ways, and here's one more.  Many of the "Eastern" Phoebe's nesting in Jefferson County this year are Eastern x Black Phoebe hybrids.  Now, not ALL individuals are hybrids, but I am aware of 3 pairs of birds trying to breed where both birds of the pairs are hybrids!  

The pairs:

1. Chatfield Audubon Center (JeffCo) - nesting at the bathroom near the parking lot. These are constantly reported as Eastern's.

2. Clear Creek in Golden (Jeff Co) - one Black Phoebe looking bird is a hybrid, and an Eastern looking bird is a hybrid.

3. Platte Canyon Rez in Douglas County (just south of Chatfield Audubon Center) - one of the pair was banded as a hybrid last year at Chatfield and looks a lot like a Black, but it obviously isn't. 

One of the birds nesting at the Deer Creek Canyon and Cougar Rd bridge (JeffCo) is a hybrid (thanks to good photos in eBird), while the other bird looks good for an Eastern. 

Since at least half (maybe 3/4?) of the "Eastern" Phoebes being reported in Jefferson County are hybrids, I have adjusted the eBird filter back down to 0 in order to encourage better observation and documentation of these birds (and not to just be annoying!). Please continue to report these birds!!

I encourage everyone to take photos and audio of these birds and add them to your eBird lists or if you don't eBird, please send them to me as I'm really interested in what's going on.

I am not sure where all these hybrids are coming from, but this phenomenon is worth thoroughly documenting. This is really fascinating (maybe it's just me?) and I encourage everyone to look more closely at their "Eastern" Phoebes and get photos, if possible.

Thanks!

Scott Somershoe

Littleton CO

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