A POSSIBLE FIRST HYBRID OF ICTERIA × ICTERUS

Abstract

 On 10 September 2019, along my typical birding route along San timoteo Creek near redlands, San Bernardino County, California, I encountered a rather odd bird. about a mile into the walk I fist noticed at a distance what superfiially appeared to be a Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens). It struck me as interesting initially just because I had not seen a chat well in a few weeks, because it was actually out in the open, and it allowed me to advance up to it slowly for decent photographs (Figures 1 and 2). Th bird was silent, and aftr a minute or two it flw off Th bird was unusual for a chat not only in its approachability but also in its patterned back, more greenish color on the back and head, evident wing bars, and blackish tail.