Possible Hybrid BlackXEastern Phoebe

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The hybrid Black X Eastern Phoebes I usually see are more clearly intermediate in plumage than this bird. However, the inverted 'v' on it's chest has an unusually deep cleavage with almost a line of darker feathers coming across below the deep part of this cleavage. Also the abruptly extended crown is more extreme than on typical Black Phoebes and similar to one of the clear hybrids I have seen and photographed previously. Again, not definitive but with the number of breedings between Black and Eastern Phoebes in this area (Fremont County,CO), there is the possibility that hybrids will breed back to 'pure' birds ('crossback'). The offspring of these birds look like typical birds of the species. SeEtta

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