bajadreamer wrote:
I agree with immature/ragged Yellow-rumped Warbler. Long tail (a little ragged), foraging alone and on the ground, obvious yellow patch over the rump, suggestion of yellow/orange under wing. When I see Pine Siskens they typically are in groups, have short tails and spend more time in bushes and trees than on the ground. In our area (So Cal) the YRWs are just returning. When spring comes and they are in breeding plumage, they are quite striking and unmistakable.
I agree with everything that you are saying. Siskins are usually not loners, and do not forage in the grass and leaves like this one was doing. It was acting much more like a warbler in that sense. This bird also has the white slash by the eye and the yellow on the rump like the Butter-Butts (I am not sure if that is only a local name for the YRW?). Again that tail, especially with the distinctive white markings, is a real question mark. It would fan that tail out in a very scissor-like fashion. Thank you for your input "bajadreamer"!!