[Tweeters] Is there a question on the Common Crane?

[Jordan Gunn]

Tim and Tweeters, I can't answer for the eBird reviewers, but in my opinion
any species debate should be short, and you should go view the Brady Loop
Common Crane. I agree that the amount of "whiteish" on the back of the head
of the Brady Loop bird is more than many adult Common Cranes as can be
viewed on Macauley (but this photo
<https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/519813611> of the Brady Loop bird shows
the general outline of this plumage matching pretty well). However, it is
not hard to find examples in Macauley of Common Cranes that match the Brady
Loop bird pretty darn well, including here
<https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/520593571> (no extensive red patch,
apparently lighter black roward rear of head). There are several
other examples to be found from Eurasia showing that Common Cranes can show
highly variable amounts of red on the top of head, white on the face and
differing extents and shades of blackness on the back of head into neck.
Also, Common Cranes achieve adult plumage by "late winter" so there is a
possibility that this is a "nearly adult" plumage bird, but I don't think
there's a need to call it a "possible hybrid" unless and until it changes
plumage to match our expectations.

The correct and academic approach is to rule out other species and hybrids,
but when a bird matches so well except some slight plumage variance from
the average crisp European adult - and when a bird shows no other
semblance of the other possible hybrid parent (Sandhill Crane) - see
previously documented hybrid here
<https://media.ebird.org/catalog?mediaType=photo&sort=obs_date_desc&taxonCode=x00657>
-
I think it's pretty clear, absent checking its DNA, that it is a Common
Crane. But we don't check the DNA of all rare birds.

I have a major interest, since I just left on my first out-of-state trip in
years when the last Common Crane showed up, so I missed it. . .   BUT that
aside   ;)   - I still feel strongly that we shouldn't trip ourselves up
too much on the Brady Loop Common Crane.

Yours,

--Jordan Gunn
Edmonds, WA


On Wed, Jan 4, 2023 at 5:04 PM Tim O'Brien <kertim7179 at yahoo.com> wrote:


> Hello tweets,

>

> I am debating whether to make the trip to see the Common Crane on the

> Brady Loop.  I am watching eBird and have noticed that none of the

> sightings have been confirmed by a reviewer yet.  Is there a debate on the

> whether this is a pure Common Crane or is it a hybrid?  If you don't want

> to share in public, please email me directly.  As some of you know, the

> Brady Loop is my old stomping grounds and this bird would be great to add

> to my list.

>

> Thank you!

>

> Tim O'Brien

> Spokane Valley, WA

> mailto: kertim7179 at yahoo dot com

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