Subspecies Visualized

Differences in Subspecies

One of the things I noticed on our recent trip to the Tucson, Arizona area is the differences in subspecies of some common birds.  Species of birds may be subdivided into subspecies if there are slight differences between the bird populations yet they would still be able to interbreed.  Typically subspecies develop in different geologic areas so the two subspecies don’t have much of an opportunity to interact.  Over time each subspecies develops its own set of unique traits (given enough time the subspecies could become so different they become classified as different species).

We were in southern Arizona, about an hour south of Tucson (30+ miles north of the Mexican border) and found at least three subspecies of birds we regularly see in the midwest.  Our first example is of the Northern Cardinal.  This species is widespread throughout the southwestern and eastern United States and Canada (it’s the State Bird for seven states) and the male of the Eastern subspecies typically looks like this:

 

Now take a look at the Southwestern subspecies.  Just look at the size of the crest atop its head!  The first time I saw this I was floored – it was definitely a Cardinal but it made the bird look so different.  Also note the size of the bill; much bulkier than the Eastern subspecies above.

 

Now let’s turn to the two subspecies of Yellow-rumped Warblers.  In the midwest the most numerous warbler migrant in the spring and fall is the Yellow-rumped.  These lively birds hop from branch to branch snapping up bugs along the way.  They are so numerous at times we tend to take them for granted, as we search for more exotic warblers.  Below is a picture of a typical male of the Myrtle subspecies of Yellow-rumped Warbler.

 

Now compare it to the most numerous Yellow-rumped Warbler we saw in Arizona, the Audubon subspecies:

 

The first thing that struck me was how much darker the Audubon’s subspecies was overall.  The next thing I noticed was the contrast between the chin color: white (Myrtle) and the bright yellow (Audubon’s).

Our final example is more subtle and is of the common Red-tailed Hawk.  The place we stayed at had two Red-tailed Hawks flying around so we had a chance to observe them regularly.  We were struck with how much darker the Western subspecies was than the Eastern.  I don’t think the camera picked up the difference as well as the eye did but take a look yourself.  First is the Eastern subspecies of the Red-tailed Hawk.

 

Now look carefully at the Western subspecies of Red-tailed Hawk below.

At first glance they appear to be very similar.  What struck me is how much darker the Western subspecies appeared to be.  Note the leading and trailing edges of its wings and how dark they are.  The head was also darker (although we do see Red-tailed Hawks with fairly dark heads her in the midwest).

Even though we saw the same species of birds in Arizona as we do in Chicagoland, the differences were fascinating.  Do you have any pictures of subspecies you could share on GreatBirdPics?  Please do!

Stay Safe.  Go Birding.  Take Pics.  Share Here.  Repeat.

Mike


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