Need Your Help! Hybrid or Eastern?

[Ctomp1974]

I hunted North Florida this past weekend and was fortunate to get 2 birds.  Both were extremely long-legged and the bars on the wings were a bit muddled. Hybrid(eastern-osceola) or Eastern? The wing on the left is a N.Fl bird-Right is a KY Eastern. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Clint

[deerhunt1988]

Not a true Osceola if its in north Florida..

[simpzenith]

Depends on how far north in FL you hunted. Which county was the bird taken in?

[guesswho]

Looks like an Eastern to me.  You see many variations on wing bars from one to the other, even in areas where  hybrids don't exist.

[LX_Trkyhntr]

Looks like an Eastern to me.  You see many variations on wing bars from one to the other, even in areas where  hybrids don't exist.

[Ctomp1974]

Thanks for the response. I realize that if it is above the St Johns river its not officially an Osceola, but it doesn't mean that the sub-species doesn't exist there.

The only thing I can find about the difference of the 2 besides official geographic location is,  1)less defined bars on wing feathers2)generally longer legs3)more iridescent(greens & red vs. bronze4) also known for good hooks. All of these Apply to my 2 birds.

I agree that the do look like easterns, but the osceola and eastern look very similar.

This bird was killed in Suwanee Co. I have a 2nd Bird that was taken in Lafayette Co. Both counties border the Official Line.

Thanks,
Clint

[longbeardlife.com]

I think in your post you meant to say the Suwannee  River vs. St Johns River.  According to FWC the line is drawn at the Suwannee River.  we all know that birds can fly and there will be a mix. Ive killed birds 90 miles SE of Suwannee county with similar markings.  Hard to say.    Congrats on birds though

[Reloader]

Just call em Osceolas since you were in Florida close to the "official" line

This is no different than Rios vs Merriams vs Hybrids vs Easterns debates in the midwest..... A turkey is a turkey to me, hooks and beards are more fun to talk about. They all eat the same

Tell us more about these two Osceolas you killed.