Surprisingly little is known about the status of most
bird subspecies that occur in Virginia.
This is attributable in part to the decision by the American
Ornithologists' Union to remove subspecies accounts from its Check-list (the 1957
edition was the last to treat subspecies) and in part to a paucity of
information about the identification and distribution of most bird subspecies,
most of which cannot be safely identified in the field and some of which cannot
be safely identified out of range, owing to variation within taxa,
intergradation among taxa, and the close similarity of many subspecies. This
Appendix generally follows Pyle (1997) in the assignment of subspecies, but taxa
not recognized therein are also mentioned. Species not included in this
Appendix are either widely considered monotypic (that is, having no valid
subspecies described) or have their relevant subspecies treated in the Overview
or regional sections of the respective Species Accounts in Virginia's
Birdlife : An Annotated Checklist (Rottenborn and
Brinkley, 2007).
This Appendix is far from complete and
will require many revisions as the VARCOM sorts through the thousands of
Virginia bird specimens in decades to come. With this first attempt, we hope to
revive interest in the status and distribution of subspecies in Virginia and to
update Murray's (1952) treatment of the topic, however provisionally.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna
autumnalis)
The
rapidly expanding subspecies autumnalis of Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and eastern Mexico is believed to be
involved in most extralimital reports in North America, but extralimital
reports of the tropical race discolor
as far north as the Cayman Islands suggest that observers use caution in
assigning subspecies to vagrants.
Tundra Swan (Cygnus
columbianus)
The
subspecies confirmed in Virginia is the nominate; the Eurasian bewickii has been recorded as near to Virginia as
Ocean City, Maryland, but the provenance of such individuals has been
questioned.
Mallard (Anas
platyrhynchos)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia ; however, feral birds (which breed in the state) usually cannot
be assigned to subspecies, as they represent avicultural mixes.
Blue-winged Teal
(Anas discors)
Though
listed as monotypic by most authorities, the fifth edition of the American
Ornithologists' Union's Check-list
(1957), the last edition to consider subspecies, lists the birds that breed in
Atlantic tidal marshes as orphna,
apparently more richly colored than the inland breeding nominate
subspecies. It is unclear whether
Virginia's interior nesting records would refer to the nominate subspecies if orphna were indeed distinct enough to merit
status as a subspecies.
Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera)
Virginia
reports are assumed to be of the North American subspecies septentrionalium, but this has not been confirmed by specimen.
White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)
Robert Cushman
Murphy investigated the Back Bay record of 1937 (specimen at AMNH) and found it
to refer to the nominate subspecies.
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
The
nominate subspecies is expected in Virginia; this subspecies was formerly
considered distinct in North America, subspecies tzitzihoa (Murray 1952).
Greater Scaup (Aythya
marila)
The
subspecies mariloides
is the expected in Virginia (Murray [1952] called this subspecies nearctica); however, Eurasian marila is a potential vagrant (reported in
Canada), and Virginia specimens should be critically examined.
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Virginia
records are presumed to refer to the eastern subspecies dresseri, which nests south to New England
(rarely New York), but specimens have not been critically examined. The
subspecies borealis and
sedentarius have been
documented from East Coast states to the north of Virginia.
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus
histrionicus)
Virginia
reports are assumed to refer to the eastern North American subspecies atlanticus (the western subspecies pacificus is not universally recognized).
White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca)
The North American
subspecies deglandi is
expected in Virginia.
Black Scoter (Melanitta nigra)
The North
American subspecies americana
is expected in Virginia.
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)
The North
American subspecies americana is
expected in Virginia.
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)
The North
American subspecies americanus is
expected in Virginia.
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus
serrator)
If this species is considered polytypic, the nominate
subspecies is expected in Virginia (Murray 1952).
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
The nominate subspecies (formerly
separated as subspecies rubida, as by Murray [1952]) is expected in
Virginia.
Common Loon (Gavia immer)
If multiple
subspecies are recognized, the nominate subspecies is expected in Virginia and
is so listed by Murray (1952).
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
The nominate
subspecies is expected in Virginia, but specimens have apparently not been
examined to confirm this.
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)
No Virginia
specimens are known to us, but all reports are presumed to pertain to the North
American subspecies cornutus.
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegna)
The North
American subspecies is holboelli
(often called Holboell's Grebe) is the expected subspecies in Virginia.
Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
No Virginia
specimens are known to us, but it is presumed that all Virginia records pertain
to the North American californicus.
Western Grebe (Aechmophorus
occidentalis)
No
Virginia specimens are known to exist, but all reports of Westerns are presumed
to refer to the nominate subspecies.
Cory's
Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea)
Specimens
found on the state's beaches have not been retained to determine subspecific
identity. The most common
subspecies in Virginia would presumably be borealis of the eastern Atlantic islands, but
specimens of the nominate subspecies (which breeds on Mediterranean islands)
have been recovered from New York, North Carolina, and Georgia, and at least
one photographic record of edwardsii (which breeds on the Cape Verde Islands and is now
considered by most authorities to be a distinct species) comes from North
Carolina. Observers are encouraged
to assist in the salvage of Virginia specimens in order to clarify the status of
Calonectris taxa in
the state.
Audubon's Shearwater
(Puffinus lherminieri)
Specimens,
if any are extant, have not been examined to determine subspecific identity,
although Murray (1952) refers two specimens from Virginia Beach (1900 and 1939)
to the nominate subspecies, which is widespread in the Caribbean; however, the
subspecies loyemilleri
is a potential visitor to Virginia waters.
Wilson's
Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus)
Most
Virginia specimens of this species have not been critically examined to
determine which subspecies occurs in the Virginia. The American Ornithologists'
Union (1957) mentions only the nominate subspecies in North America, and one
Virginia specimen (albeit from the Potomac River; 20 Jul 1859) is identified by
Murray (1952) as that subspecies; however, the subspecies exasperatus has been recorded as far north as the
United Kingdom. Virginia specimens should be examined to determine subspecific
identity.
Leach's Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma
leucorhoa)
The nominate
subspecies is expected in Virginia; it is the only subspecies known in the
Atlantic Ocean.
White-faced
Storm-Petrel (Pelagodroma marina)
No
specimens of White-faced Storm-Petrel are known from Virginia, but specimens
taken in North Carolina are of the subspecies hypoleuca from the Canary Islands and Salvage
Islands, and this subspecies is thought to be the most regular visitor to North
American waters. The subspecies eadesi from the Cape Verde Islands has been reported in August
1953 from Massachusetts. Any
specimen found in Virginia should be retained to determine subspecific
identity.
Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)
A
partial specimen from Fisherman Island salvaged in Nov 1999 was too decomposed
to allow subspecific determination; it is assumed that all western North
Atlantic reports of this species refer to the nominate subspecies, which occurs
regularly north to the Dry Tortugas, Florida, and with increasing frequency as
far north as North Carolina.
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
The eastern
North American subspecies carolinensis is expected in Virginia.
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
The nominate
subspecies is expected in Virginia.
Double-crested
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)
Virginia
records are all assumed to be of the nominate subspecies, though the western
subspecies albociliatus
and cincinatus have
been detected as vagrants as far east as Ontario, while the small subspecies floridanus has bred as far north as North Carolina
and is also a potential visitor to Virginia. Virginia specimens should be examined critically.
Anhinga (Anhinga
anhinga)
Murray
(1952) referred Virginia's two sight reports to subspecies leucogaster.
The state has no specimens known to us, but this is the only subspecies
known from eastern North America.
Great Blue Heron
(Ardea herodias)
The
nominate subspecies is expected in Virginia; see Species Account for records of
occidentalis in
Virginia.
Great Egret (Ardea
alba)
The
subspecies egretta is
expected in Virginia.
Snowy Egret (Egretta
thula)
The
nominate subspecies is expected in Virginia.
Reddish Egret (Egretta
rufescens)
Virginia
has no specimens of the species; all reports are assumed to refer to the
nominate subspecies.
Tricolored Heron
(Egretta tricolor)
The
subspecies ruficollis is
expected in Virginia.
Little Blue
Heron (Egretta caerulea)
If this species is considered
polytypic, the nominate subspecies is expected in Virginia.
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
The
subspecies hoactli is expected in Virginia.
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax violaceus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Least Bittern (Ixobrychus
exilis)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia ; the dark morph (often called Cory's Least Bittern) has never
been reported in Virginia.
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
The
subspecies septentrionalis
is expected in Virginia.
Black Vulture (Coragyps
atratus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Osprey (Pandion
haliaetus)
The
subspecies carolinensis
is expected in Virginia.
Swallow-tailed
Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
White-tailed
Kite (Elanus leucurus)
The subspecies majusculus is the expected
vagrant in Virginia.
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus
leucocephalus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Northern Harrier
(Circus cyaneus)
The
subspecies hudsonius
is expected in Virginia.
Sharp‑shinned
Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
The
subspecies velox is
expected in Virginia.
Northern Goshawk
(Accipiter gentilis)
The
subspecies atricapillus
is expected in Virginia.
Broad‑winged
Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Red‑tailed
Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
The
subspecies borealis
is present as a breeder, transient, and wintering bird in Virginia (Murray
1952); the very similar umbrinus
has been confirmed as far north as North Carolina but is not documented from
Virginia. The subspecies abieticola,
which breeds in eastern Canada, winters in the East, but specimens have not
been critically examined to confirm its presence in Virginia. See the Species
Account for reports of the western subspecies calurus, harlani, and "kriderii" (the latter currently considered a pale
morph of borealis).
Rough‑legged
Hawk (Buteo lagopus)
The
subspecies sancti‑johannis
is expected in Virginia.
Red-shouldered
Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Golden Eagle (Aquila
chrysaetos)
The
subspecies canadensis
is expected in Virginia.
American Kestrel
(Falco sparverius)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Merlin (Falco
columbarius)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia. See the Species Account for a possible sight report of the
western subspecies suckleyi.
Gyrfalcon (Falco
rusticolus)
The
subspecies obsoletus
is expected in Virginia, but the taxonomy of this species is not settled.
Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus)
Currently,
breeding birds in Virginia are the result of reintroductions; the birds are
mixtures of subspecies anatum,
pealei, tundrius, and taxa from other continents. The Arctic-nesting subspecies tundrius is a regular transient and wintering
bird in Virginia. The subarctic/western anatum may occur currently as a vagrant but
would be difficult to distinguish from individuals from the reintroduction
schemes. Birds resembling pealei are often seen, but these are almost
certainly from reintroduced stock.
Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa
umbellus)
The subspecies monticola is documented by specimen in Virginia (Murray
1952). The American
Ornithologists' Union (1957) notes that the nominate subspecies once ranged
into the Coastal Plain of Virginia, but no specimens are known to support this
statement.
Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
The
Ring-necked Pheasants formerly stocked in Virginia were presumably derived of
avicultural stock that included mixes known as "Chinese Blackneck" and "English
Ringneck"; these crosses have no taxonomic standing.
Wild Turkey (Meleagris
gallopavo)
The
widespread eastern North American subspecies silvestris was almost extirpated in large areas of
its range by the close of the nineteenth century. In Virginia, as elsewhere, turkeys (mostly of unknown
provenance) were restocked when local extirpations occurred. The genetic makeup of the current
populations is unknown, but they mostly appear typical of the subspecies silvestris.
Northern
Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia. In some areas, stocked populations have included subspecies texanus (Murray 1952) and possibly also floridanus.
More study is needed to determine the effect of this restocking on the
genetic makeup of Virginia bobwhite.
Yellow Rail (Coturnicops
noveboracensis)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Black Rail (Laterallus
jamaicensis)
The nominate subspecies (formerly here
considered subspecies pygmaeus [Murray 1952]) is expected in
Virginia.
Clapper Rail (Rallus
longirostris)
The subspecies crepitans is expected in
Virginia.
King Rail (Rallus
elegans)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Virginia Rail (Rallus
limicola)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Common Moorhen (Gallinula
chloropus)
The subspecies cachinnans is expected in
Virginia.
American Coot (Fulica
americana)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Limpkin (Aramus
guarauna)
The subspecies pictus is presumably the
one involved in the single Virginia record.
Sandhill Crane (Grus
canadensis)
The
subspecies tabida and
the nominate subspecies have probably both occurred in Virginia, but no
specimens are available to confirm this.
Wilson's Plover
(Charadrius wilsonia)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
The nominate subspecies nests in
Virginia, but there is also a specimen of the interior subspecies circumcinctus from northern Virginia 3 May 1884
(Murray 1952), as well as one from Assateague Island, Maryland, just north of
the Virginia border. Wintering
birds (rare) could refer to either subspecies.
Killdeer (Charadrius
vociferus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
American
Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Black‑necked
Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Solitary
Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia ; the larger
subspecies, cinnamomea,
has been documented as near as Massachusetts and Ontario and should be looked
for.
Long-billed
Curlew (Numenius americanus)
It
is not known to which subspecies Virginia's reports pertain; East Coast
specimens include both the nominate subspecies and the subspecies parvus.
No extant Virginia specimens are known to us.
Whimbrel (Numenius
phaeopus)
The
subspecies hudsonicus
is expected in Virginia; see the Species Account for one record of the nominate
subspecies, as well as five records of undetermined Old World subspecies.
Marbled Godwit (Limosa
fedoa)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia ; the larger
beringiae is probably unlikely to occur in
Virginia but has been documented as a vagrant east to South Dakota.
Ruddy Turnstone
(Arenaria interpres)
The subspecies morinella is expected in
Virginia. The nominate
subspecies, which nests in the Palearctic, may have been documented in
Massachusetts.
Red Knot (Calidris
canutus)
The subspecies rufa is expected in
Virginia ; other subspecies could occur as vagrants.
Dunlin (Calidris
alpina)
The subspecies hudsonia is expected in
Virginia. The nominate subspecies
has been documented by specimen in South Carolina and Massachusetts, and
Maryland has a report of arctica,
of which there is also a Massachusetts specimen. Other subspecies such as pacifica
and schinzii are conceivable vagrants to the state. Virginia specimens should be examined
critically.
Purple Sandpiper
(Calidris maritima)
If
multiple subspecies are recognized, Virginia birds are referable to the
nominate subspecies (Murray 1952).
Short‑billed
Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus)
The
nominate subspecies and the subspecies hendersoni are regular transients; the subspecific
identification of wintering Short-billed Dowitchers is unknown. The western subspecies, caurinus, is undocumented on the East Coast but
could occur.
Long-tailed
Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus)
The subspecies pallescens is expected in
Virginia.
Herring Gull (Larus
argentatus)
The subspecies smithsonianus is expected in Virginia. Birds of the taxa argenteus/argentatus and vegae, sometimes recognized as separate
species, have been reported as vagrants in neighboring states and should be
looked for, although field identification may not be possible.
Iceland Gull (Larus
glaucoides)
The subspecies kumlieni is expected in Virginia. The nominate subspecies has not been
documented on the East Coast but may occur.
Lesser Black‑backed
Gull (Larus fuscus)
The subspecies graellsii is expected in Virginia. A Maryland specimen (USNM 421801), from
Assateague Island 7 October 1949 was flushed from Virginia and then collected,
thus confirming this subspecies in both states. There are sight reports intermedius from neighboring states and a confirmed
record of this subspecies from New York (a banded bird). However, intermedius intergrades extensively with graellsii in western Europe, and intergrades have
intermediate back color. Thus the field identification of this taxon is
problematic. No reports of the
nominate subspecies exist for North America.
Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia. The Alaskan
subspecies barrovianus
has been documented in Texas and should be considered a possible vagrant to
Virginia.
Black‑legged
Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Gull‑billed
Tern (Gelochelidon niloticus)
The subspecies aranea is expected in Virginia.
Royal Tern (Thalasseus
maximus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus
sandvicensis)
The subspecies acuflavidus is expected in Virginia. The
subspecies eurygnathus, often called Cayenne Tern, has been
documented on six occasions in North Carolina and once in New York. It should
be looked for in Virginia.
Roseate Tern (Sterna
dougallii)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Common Tern (Sterna
hirundo)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Forster's Tern (Sterna
forsteri)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Least Tern (Sterna
antillarum)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia. Some Virginia birds, particularly those inland, could be
referable to subspecies athalassos of the Midwest, but this has not been
documented.
Bridled Tern (Onychoprion
anaethetus)
The subspecies melanopterus is confirmed in
Virginia by a partial specimen found in Suffolk after Hurricane Isabel 18 Sep
2003. Other reports are probably
referable to this subspecies as well rather than to antarcticus.
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion
fuscatus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Black Tern (Chlidonias
niger)
The subspecies surinamensis is expected in Virginia. The nominate subspecies has not been
documented in North America.
Black Skimmer (Rhynchops
niger)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia. New Brunswick,
Canada, has a report of one of the South American races (intercedens or cinerascens), and these should be looked for in
Virginia.
Dovekie (Alle alle)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Common Murre (Uria aalge)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Thick-billed
Murre (Uria lomvia)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Black Guillemot
(Cepphus grylle)
Virginia
has no extant specimens of this species, and so it is unknown to which
subspecies the few sight records (and the lost specimen) refer. The subspecies atlanticus would appear to be the most likely one
to visit Virginia and neighboring states; mandtii or ultimus are also potential vagrants.
Atlantic Puffin
(Fratercula arctica)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia. The subspecies naumanni, which breeds in Greenland, has not been
confirmed in North America.
White-winged
Dove (Zenaida asiatica)
Photographs
of White-winged Doves taken in Virginia appear to show the nominate subspecies;
however, there are no specimens of the species known for the state to confirm
this. The southwestern mearnsi could also occur.
Mourning Dove (Zenaida
macroura)
The subspecies carolinensis is expected in
Virginia. The western subspecies marginella has been documented in neighboring
Tennessee.
Eurasian
Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia ; however, birds that appear to be mixed to varying degrees with African Collared-Dove have been widely
reported in North America and may occur in Virginia.
Common
Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia and is listed as being confirmed by a specimen taken near Lynchburg 4
Nov 1900 (Murray 1952).
Carolina
Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis)
The nominate subspecies was certainly
the one observed in colonial times in eastern Virginia. Those found west of the
Appalachians were sometimes labelled subspecies ludoviciana, and it seems unlikely that birds of
this subspecies would have been found in Virginia; it is not mentioned by
Murray (1952).
Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta
monachus)
Virginia
populations have never been studied
and could include birds of the nominate subspecies, of subspecies cotorra, or of subspecies calita (or avicultural crosses among these taxa).
Yellow‑billed
Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Groove-billed
Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
The nominate subspecies is almost
certainly indicated in the Virginia records (Pyle 1997).
Barn Owl (Tyto
alba)
The subspecies pratincola is expected in
Virginia.
Eastern Screech‑Owl
(Megascops asio)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia ; montane birds in the state were at one time listed as the larger
subspecies naevius (Murray 1952), but Pyle (1997) notes that differences
from the nominate subspecies are largely clinal.
Great Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia. In New England and
New York, there are a few reports of scalariventris, subarcticus, and heterocnemis, and Virginia specimens should always be
critically examined, particularly fall and early-winter specimens.
Barred Owl (Strix
varia)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia ; the subspecies georgica, which reaches
coastal North Carolina and has naked (not feathered) toes, should be looked for
in Virginia specimens.
Short‑eared
Owl (Asio flammeus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Long-eared Owl (Asio
otus)
The
larger subspecies wilsonianus
is expected in Virginia (Murray 1952); Virginia specimens should be checked for
the smaller western tuftsi.
Northern
Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Common Nighthawk
(Chordeiles minor)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia. Specimens of subspecies sennetti have been collected in Ohio, Kentucky,
Maryland, and Bermuda; there is a South Carolina specimen of howelli and a Florida specimen of henryi.
The subspecies chapmani
also a potential vagrant. Virginia
specimens should be carefully examined.
Whip‑poor‑will
(Caprimulgus vociferus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia ; the larger, nonmigratory sedentarius of southern
California and offshore islands is expanding its range but is not known to be
prone to vagrancy.
Downy Woodpecker
(Picoides pubescens)
The subspecies medianus is the expected
resident in Virginia except in the southeastern portion of the state, where the smaller nominate
subspecies (Southern Downy Woodpecker) replaces it.
Hairy Woodpecker
(Picoides villosus)
The nominate subspecies is the expected resident
in Virginia except at the Dismal Swamp and adjacent parts of southernmost
Tidewater, where the smaller subspecies audubonii (often called Southern Hairy
Woodpecker) replaces it. The western
subspecies septentrionalis has
been collected as near as Massachusetts, and Virginia specimens should be
examined critically.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus
varius)
This
species is probably best considered monotypic (Pyle 1997). Previously, the slightly smaller,
darker birds that bred or presumably bred in southwestern Virginia were
considered subspecies appalachiensis,
and northern birds that are transients and winter residents were considered
subspecies atrothorax (Pyle 1997).
Northern Flicker
(Colaptes auratus)
The subspecies luteus is the expected
migrant and nester in Virginia except in the southeastern part of the state,
where the smaller nominate subspecies is found (Pyle 1997), documented by
specimen from Virginia Beach and from Essex County (Murray 1952). Murray
(1952) also lists a specimen of
the longer-winged northern subspecies borealis from Shenandoah
National Park, but Pyle (1997) notes that borealis is best synonymized
with luteus, as differences are broadly clinal.
Pileated
Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
most of Virginia, but the larger northern subspecies, abieticola, apparently replaces it in northern and
northwestern Virginia (Murray 1952).
More study of specimens is needed to determine the distribution of these
taxa in the state.
Olive‑sided
Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Western Wood‑Pewee
(Contopus sordidulus)
Maryland has single specimens of
subspecies veliei and
saturatus; the single
Virginia photographic/banding record has not been identified to subspecies.
Willow
Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya)
Virginia's specimen has not yet been
examined to determine subspecies ; the nominate subspecies may be the most
likely to stray to Virginia, but yukonensis should also be
considered.
Vermilion
Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
Virginia's
two records, both documented by photographs, do not permit subspecific
identification. The subspecies mexicanus is by far the most likely vagrant subspecies, and and Pyle
(1997) indicates that at least one of the Virginia records is referable to this
subspecies; the southwestern subspecies flammeus has reached Nebraska and could certainly
be found in the East (Pyle 1997).
Ash-throated
Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus
dominicensis)
The subspecies fugax would seem to be the most likely one to
occur as a vagrant in Virginia and is the only one confirmed by specimen North
America ; however, vagrants from the Caribbean (where the taxonomy of this
species at the level of subspecies is unsettled) are conceivable.
Fork-tailed
Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana)
The nominate subspecies is apparently
the most likely one to occur in Virginia ; it has been confirmed in
Maryland but not yet in Virginia.
The subspecies monarchus has occurred only as near as Texas and
Pennsylvania, but sanctaemartae has apparently reached New Jersey on
one occasion.
Loggerhead
Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)
The
taxonomy of this species is unsettled; Virginia residents (and formerly
transients and some portion of wintering birds) are of the subspecies mexicanus (or migrans, depending on the authority). Murray
(1952) treated western Virginia birds as migrans, eastern birds as referring to the
nominate subspecies, but Pyle (1997) suggests that birds of the nominate
subspecies occur no farther north than North Carolina as breeders. A rigorous study of Virginia specimens
is needed.
Northern Shrike
(Lanius excubitor)
The subspecies borealis is expected in
Virginia.
White‑eyed
Vireo (Vireo griseus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Bell's Vireo (Vireo
bellii)
Virginia's
single sight record of this species is not referable to subspecies; most East
Coast reports of this species have been thought to be of the nominate subspecies.
Blue‑headed
Vireo (Vireo solitarius)
The subspecies alticola breeds in western
Virginia, whereas the nominate subspecies is a common transient. It is uncertain to which subspecies
wintering birds belong.
Warbling Vireo (Vireo
gilvus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia, but there is at least one eastern record of an apparent swainsoni (from New York in autumn), and this
subspecies should be looked for in Virginia.
Red‑eyed
Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia ; montane birds in Virginia, which apparently have larger eggs
and different vocalizations, were at one time considered a separate subspecies,
scotti (Pyle 1997).
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta
cristata)
The subspecies bromia is expected in most
parts of Virginia, but highland birds in southwestern Virginia are of the
smaller nominate subspecies ; Murray (1952) indicates that this is
confirmed by specimens of breeding Blue Jays collected on Mt. Rogers and
Whitetop.
American Crow (Corvus
brachyrhynchos)
The subspecies hesperis breeds in
Virginia ; the subspecies paulus (Murray 1952) is now
synonymized with hesperis (Pyle 1997).
The nominate subspecies is apparently only a transient and winter
resident, but specimens of breeding American Crows from northern Virginia
should be examined critically. The
winter status of these taxa is unclear.
Common Raven (Corvus
corax)
The subspecies principalis is expected in
Virginia.
Black-billed
Magpie (Pica pica)
The subspecies hudsonia is the expected
vagrant in Virginia, and Murray (1952) refers the specimen from Powhatan County
(apparently no longer extant) to this subspecies.
Horned Lark (Eremophila
alpestris)
The
subspecies praticola,
often called Prairie Horned Lark, breeds and is a transient and winter resident
in Virginia; the nominate subspecies is a transient and winter resident. Murray (1952) indicates that both are
confirmed by specimen. Maryland has an old specimen of subspecies hoyti.
Other taxa could be vagrants to Virginia.
Purple Martin (Progne subis)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia ; western taxa could be vagrants to the East, particularly in
autumn.
Bank Swallow (Riparia
riparia)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon
pyrrhonota)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia, but western swainsoni has been reported at least once in the
East (New Jersey) in autumn.
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon
fulva)
The
subspecies pelodoma (formerly
pallida) is
apparently responsible for most late-autumn records in the East since 1990 (and
verified by numerous specimens); Virginia's single specimen, from Wise Point,
Northampton County, is also referable to this subspecies. The nominate subspecies is also known
from a specimen in the East, in Nova Scotia. However, intermediate-appearing birds have been observed in
Florida, and caution should be exercised when attempting to separate these
subspecies in the field.
Barn Swallow (Hirundo
rustica)
The subspecies erythrogaster is expected in
Virginia.
Carolina
Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)
The subspecies extimus is expected in
Virginia except (roughly) east of Amelia and south of the James River, where it
is apparently replaced by the nominate subspecies (Murray 1952).
The
Appalachian subspecies practicus
breeds in the western part of the state (where it hybridizes with Carolina
Chickadee; see the Species Account) and is there confirmed by specimen (Murray
1952). The nominate subspecies is
a rare winter visitor during infrequent irruptions of this species from the
north; Murray (1952) lists 13 specimens between USNM and MCZ. It is not known to which subspecies the
Black-capped Chickadees recorded on the Piedmont belong, but very rare coastal
birds are almost certainly of the irruptive nominate subspecies.
Boreal Chickadee
(Poecile hudsonicus)
Virginia
has no specimens of Boreal Chickadee and no extant photographs, and so it is
not known to which subspecies the few records should be attributed. Maryland's single specimen is of the
nominate subspecies; littoralis,
which nests as close as New York, is also a potential vagrant.
Tufted Titmouse
(Baeolophus bicolor)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
White‑breasted
Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Brown‑headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Brown Creeper (Certhia
americana)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia ; however, Murray (1952) identified several specimens from
Lexington as subspecies nigrescens, which Pyle lists as occurring to
eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. Virginia specimens should be critically reviewed.
Rock Wren (Salpinctes
obsoletus)
The nominate subspecies is the expected
vagrant in Virginia, but there is no specimen to confirm this ; however,
no other subspecies is known from the continental United States.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus
ludovicianus)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes
bewickii)
The nominate subspecies was presumably
the regular breeder in eastern Virginia through the early twentieth century
(Murray 1952) ; Appalachian nesters, which persisted in Virginia into the
1980s, were separated by over 100 miles from these coastal birds and were formerly
recognized as a separate subspecies, altus (Murray 1952). The latter taxon (not universally recognized) may be
approaching extinction, but there are recent reports of it from Appalachian
Georgia and Tennessee.
House Wren (Troglodytes
aedon)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia. Murray (1952) recognized the darker,
grayer subspecies baldwini (called
Ohio House Wren) as the expected nesting species from the Blue Ridge westward,
but Pyle (1997) notes that differences from the nominate subspecies are broadly
clinal. The subspecies parkmanii, which nests as close to Virginia as
central Kentucky, is reported in North Carolina but not in Virginia.
Winter Wren (Troglodytes
troglodytes)
The subspecies pullus breeds in western Virginia ; the
subspecies hiemalis is a regular transient and winter
resident. Murray (1952) notes that
both are confirmed by specimen. New Jersey has at least one report of a
western-type Winter Wren (presumably pacificus
group).
Sedge Wren (Cistothoris
platensis)
The
subspecies stellaris is
expected in Virginia.
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus
palustris)
The
nominate subspecies breeds and winters in Virginia except in Hampton Roads
(e.g., at Back Bay), where waynei
has been collected as the breeding subspecies (Murray 1952) but now may be
rather rare. The subspecies dissaëptus is a transient (confirmed by specimen at Arlington, 29
Apr 1888) and probably winter resident ; interior/western taxa such as iliacus
(which breeds east to Ohio and winters east to Florida) could account for some
records, particularly of transients in the western part of the state, but this
is not confirmed by specimen.
Golden‑crowned
Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Ruby-crowned
Kinglet (Regulus calendula)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Blue‑gray
Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Northern
Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
The subspecies leucorhoa is probably the
more likely vagrant in Virginia, based on specimen material from surrounding
states, but there is one New York specimen of the nominate subspecies. Virginia
has no specimen of Northern Wheatear, and photographs available to VARCOM are
not adequate for identification to subspecies.
Eastern Bluebird
(Sialia sialis)
The nominate subspecies is expected in
Virginia.
Veery (Catharus
fuscescens)
The subspecies pulichorum breeds in western
Virginia ; the nominate subspecies may also breed in northern Virginia on
occasion and is a common transient (Murray 1952). The status of
fuliginosus is unclear,
but it is presumably a fairly common transient and is confirmed by specimen
from Highland County (22 Sep 1943) according to Murray (1952). There is
apparently an old specimen of salicicola from the District of Columbia. Virginia specimens should be critically reviewed.
Gray-cheeked
Thrush (Catharus minimus)
Virginia
transients are presumed to include both the nominate subspecies and the
subspecies aliciae; Virginia
specimens should be investigated to determine their subspecific identity.
Swainson's
Thrush (Catharus ustulatus)
Hermit Thrush (Catharus
guttatus)
The subspecies faxoni accounts for Virginia's breeding birds as well as many transients and winter residents. The darker subspecies crymophilus of Newfoundland has been identified by specimen in Virginia at Blacksburg (Murray 1952), but this subspecies is considered synonymous with faxoni by Pyle (1997). The status of subspecies euborius is unclear, but Pyle (1997) lists it as a w