If not sure, is it better to try and be specific with i.d or leave it vague?

I’m replying as an observer without scientific expertise.

I do ID to a level I’m comfortable with, but the meaning of “comfortable” has changed for me over time.

This is because there’s an iNat member who plagues me by simply agreeing with any previous ID on my observations, at whatever level. If I see a warbler and call it Genus Setophaga, there they are an hour later agreeing that it’s Genus Setophaga.

More than once, before I got wise, this resulted in bringing my confident but mistaken ID up to Research Grade, as I’d learn when people with clear expertise stepped in to correct the ID. I don’t believe in the good faith of the I’ll-just-agree-with-anything person, and I’ve mostly stopped making species-level IDs unless I’m 150% confident (Bluejay, American Robin: that level of confident).

So what I’m saying is, ID to a level you’re comfortable with but do watch out for ID pests like the one I’ve got. :(

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