It's in the Eyes

Some species just look so similar that it’s difficult to make snap judgments on identification.  Roger T. Peterson did us all a big favor long ago with his field guides in his emphasis on what we’ve come to know as field marks.  Knowing them leads to confidence. 

So, is this a Tropical or a Northern Parula?



by Bill Ravenscroft



 It’s in the eyes.  The broken white eye ring makes this a Northern.