tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521040984315843533.post1970930123711493176..comments2023-09-16T09:29:28.841+01:00Comments on gobirding.eu: Brown-bristled Marsh Tits?Dave Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15077880196249359409noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521040984315843533.post-88841301860157593782015-04-26T14:51:13.811+01:002015-04-26T14:51:13.811+01:00Forgot to mention, Ashley also said on BF that the...Forgot to mention, Ashley also said on BF that they never feed on flowers and so couldn't get 'stained' bristles from pollen. This isn't true - Marsh at least commonly feed on blossom and flowers (taking nectar, and hunting for grubs boring inside flowering catkins), and I have photos of a Marsh with a face full of pollen after feeding on sallow. RBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13929001825575646912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521040984315843533.post-64925727146574807702015-04-26T14:47:21.672+01:002015-04-26T14:47:21.672+01:00Hybridisation has never actually been proven in Ma...Hybridisation has never actually been proven in Marsh x Willow. It's been seriously suspected and seems likely, once (Belgium, I think), but not confirmed. All other claims are pretty ropey and could be easily dismissed - poor evidence, subjecture, no evidence of mixed nests, probable misidentification and confusion of i.d. Seeing as identification is so confusing for many people, reports of 'mixed pairs' need to be taken with a heavy pinch of salt. Hybridisation is also not common in other Poeciles (N America), except for Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees where there's a hybrid zone. There's no such hybrid zone for Marsh/Willow. <br />Re the nasal bristles, juv Willows are supposed to show black bristles, which get browner when they moult (Sept/Oct). But I have caught and photo'd adult male Willow with black bristles, and seen juv/imm Marsh with brown bristles (but not often). I guess it might be like wing panel - too much overlap to be conclusive, but another pointer to consider when assessing the bird overall. But we'll see when the data is in (du Feu is collecting records for publication).RBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13929001825575646912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521040984315843533.post-19695213222179789932015-04-06T17:48:26.475+01:002015-04-06T17:48:26.475+01:00That may be true I guess. The description of the ...That may be true I guess. The description of the feature was worded in such a way as to suggest Marsh Tit ALWAYS had black bristles, but you may be right.Dave Appletonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15077880196249359409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521040984315843533.post-49690473193527953952015-03-26T12:05:27.811+00:002015-03-26T12:05:27.811+00:00It may also be one of these features that works be...It may also be one of these features that works better one way than another. i.e. "any Poecile with black bristles (beyond a newly fledged juvenile) is a Marsh Tit, but not all those with brown bristles is a Willow, just that that feature favours Willow strongly"?Harryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04534554869387375467noreply@blogger.com