"Unmistakable"

Many species of birds occur in Colorado and Wyoming that some observers might consider "unmistakable," such American Avocet, American White Pelican, and American Robin. However, as anyone that has spent any time reviewing eBird reports or browsing the incredible collection of photos submitted in eBird checklists knows, there probably is no truly unmistakable species. Below, I provide some examples.

1) Viewing conditions can make IDs difficult and many inexperienced and less-skilled observers can have difficulty distinguishing among Snow Goose, American White Pelican, and Whooping Crane -- all large white birds with black in the wing.

2) Some species might be "unmistakable" in circumscribed conditions, but not in a larger sense. In Colorado, Brown Thrasher is a widespread, though local, breeding species on the plains. As such, there are few species with which it might be confused. However, during migratory periods, any number of largish, ground-foraging passerines might be -- and have been -- mistaken for the species, particularly Hermit and Wood thrushes and Fox Sparrow (Red). The species is fairly rare in the state in winter, so care should be taken in identifying those birds. Additionally, there are four accepted Colorado records of Long-billed Thrasher, three in winter, so it behooves the observer of a reddish, streaked thrasher to consider that possibility at that season. That differentiation requires fairly good views, and details of even Brown Thrashers in winter should include details on how Long-billed was ruled out.

3) Some observers, mostly new birders, make incredible identification mistakes. While I could enumerate a panoply of mistakes that would cause amazement to experienced observers, I will provide just one that should serve to prove the point. An Aplomado Falcon report was submitted to eBird from a California observer. From the details provided, that person was a new birder. As the observer thought that it was some type of raptorial bird, the observer had asked a falconer friend for his thoughts on the bird's ID, and he had responded that the orangey-red coloration below left only Aplomado Falcon as an option. Unfortunately, the nicely photographed species was a Red-breasted Nuthatch.

The above points illustrate why eBird reviewers cringe when an eBirder uses "unmistakable" as part or parcel of the comments in which details of the identification should be provided. Please avoid using that term.