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Subject: Mystery Empid - opinions requested
From: Nate Dias <offshorebirder(AT)YAHOO.COM>
Date: 2 Dec 2009 1:17pm
Let me preface this post by saying I am aware of the pitfalls of trying to
definitively ID Empidonax Flycatchers by photo alone. I grew up reading works
like Kaufman's "Advanced Birding" that state this is often not possible.
I have refrained from posting this query to ID-Frontiers for some time now, but
after hearing fairly positive assertions from multiple experts, I have decided
to do so. The bird - even if it can only be narrowed down to a couple of
possibilities - is likely a first state record. It was observed during fall
migration (mid-September) on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA.
When I first encountered the following Empid, I mistakenly chalked it up as a
Traill's Flycatcher:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scbirdpics/
(after clicking the thumbnail photos, click the "+ All Sizes" button to see an
extra-large image. You can also right-click on the image, save it to your
computer and use Photoshop or other programs to adjust brightness, etc)
Back at the time, I foolishly passed off the bird's apparent rounded head,
grayish color, long tail, and some other features as artifacts of bright light,
angle and so forth.
We were in the middle of a migration fallout event, and I kept getting
distracted by Blue-winged Warblers and other goodies. But in hindsight, I wish
I had ignored them all and gotten some videotape of this Empid. I did not hear
it vocalizing and I regret to say I did not pay attention to things like
tail-wagging or tail-flicking. I could kick myself over that...
At any rate:
When I was recently going through some photos and field notes for 'catch-up'
eBird submissions, I became convinced the bird was NOT a Traill's Flycatcher
(Willow/Alder complex).
In terms of behavior: the bird stayed fairly low - mostly hanging around a small
brush pile in a clearing at the edge of a maritime forest at the far eastern
end of Kiawah Island, SC. It did not use high perches or perch in trees out in
the open - it kept low and fed on Pyralid moths and other bugs around the brush
pile and in the grass/weeds.
* I realize we may not be able to 100% conclusively ID this bird from photos
alone - but if so, I would like to narrow it down to as few possibilities as we
can.
Here are my thoughts:
Based on the bird's pale whitish belly and 'dirty' grayish-white breast (no
yellow or green tones), rounded crown, fairly prominent white eye ring, longish
tail, short primary projection, very long+flat bill, gray coloration,
dark-tipped lower mandible and head-versus-body size: I feel I can safely rule
out all Empids except Least Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher and Dusky Flycatcher.
To my mind - the tail seems too long, and the head "too small for the body", and
the bill too long to be a Least Flycatcher.
I am less confident about ruling out Dusky Flycatcher, but feel it may be
possible, based on the lack of green tones on the bird's back and the very long
bill length.
I cannot rule out Gray Flycatcher at all - in fact, that is what I think the
bird must be.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC
Join or Leave BIRDWG01: http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=birdwg01
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg01.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Mystery Empid - opinions requested
From: greatgrayowl(AT)AOL.COM
Date: 2 Dec 2009 1:39pm
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
Nate et al.:
The mostly-dark bill (with pale base to the mandible), short wings, long=
tail, and overall color are perfect for Dusky Flycatcher. As you're prob=
ably thinking, these features are=20
also pretty good for Gray Fly. However, that species usually (and I stres=
s that qualifier) has less black on the mandible and noting precise tail-w=
agging actions would have been helpful with this bird. However, I would=
still be quite happy to call this a Dusky, as the wing formula looks quit=
e typical for that species and somewhat wrong for Gray. Gray typically ha=
s a wider gap between the longest primary and the next one proximally than=
shown by the SC bird. Additionally, the next-most proximal gap is typica=
lly the widest in Gray, whereas that gap in Dusky is practically the same=
width as the next gap proximally.
Great pix!
Tony Leukering
Villas, NJ
-----Original Message-----
From: Nate Dias <offshorebirder(AT)YAHOO.COM>
To: BIRDWG01(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Sent: Wed, Dec 2, 2009 3:17 pm
Subject: [BIRDWG01] Mystery Empid - opinions requested
Let me preface this post by saying I am aware of the pitfalls of trying to=
=20
efinitively ID Empidonax Flycatchers by photo alone. I grew up reading wo=
rks=20
ike Kaufman's "Advanced Birding" that state this is often not possible.
I have refrained from posting this query to ID-Frontiers for some time now=
, but=20
fter hearing fairly positive assertions from multiple experts, I have deci=
ded=20
o do so. The bird - even if it can only be narrowed down to a couple of=
=20
ossibilities - is likely a first state record. It was observed during fal=
l=20
igration (mid-September) on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA.
hen I first encountered the following Empid, I mistakenly chalked it up as=
a=20
raill's Flycatcher: =20
ttp://www.flickr.com/photos/scbirdpics/
(after clicking the thumbnail photos, click the "+ All Sizes" button to se=
e an=20
xtra-large image. You can also right-click on the image, save it to your=
=20
omputer and use Photoshop or other programs to adjust brightness, etc)
Back at the time, I foolishly passed off the bird's apparent rounded head,=
=20
rayish color, long tail, and some other features as artifacts of bright li=
ght,=20
ngle and so forth.
We were in the middle of a migration fallout event, and I kept getting=20
istracted by Blue-winged Warblers and other goodies. But in hindsight, I=
wish=20
had ignored them all and gotten some videotape of this Empid. I did not=
hear=20
t vocalizing and I regret to say I did not pay attention to things like=20
ail-wagging or tail-flicking. I could kick myself over that...
At any rate:
hen I was recently going through some photos and field notes for 'catch-up=
'=20
Bird submissions, I became convinced the bird was NOT a Traill's Flycatche=
r=20
Willow/Alder complex). =20
In terms of behavior: the bird stayed fairly low - mostly hanging around=
a small=20
rush pile in a clearing at the edge of a maritime forest at the far easter=
n end=20
f Kiawah Island, SC. It did not use high perches or perch in trees out in=
the=20
pen - it kept low and fed on Pyralid moths and other bugs around the brush=
pile=20
nd in the grass/weeds.
I realize we may not be able to 100% conclusively ID this bird from photo=
s=20
lone - but if so, I would like to narrow it down to as few possibilities=
as we=20
an. =20
Here are my thoughts:
Based on the bird's pale whitish belly and 'dirty' grayish-white breast (n=
o=20
ellow or green tones), rounded crown, fairly prominent white eye ring, lon=
gish=20
ail, short primary projection, very long+flat bill, gray coloration,=20
ark-tipped lower mandible and head-versus-body size: I feel I can safely=
rule=20
ut all Empids except Least Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher and Dusky Flycatche=
r.
To my mind - the tail seems too long, and the head "too small for the body=
", and=20
he bill too long to be a Least Flycatcher.
I am less confident about ruling out Dusky Flycatcher, but feel it may be=
=20
ossible, based on the lack of green tones on the bird's back and the very=
long=20
ill length.
I cannot rule out Gray Flycatcher at all - in fact, that is what I think=
the=20
ird must be.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC
=20
oin or Leave BIRDWG01: http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dbir=
dwg01
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg01.html
Join or Leave BIRDWG01:
http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dbirdwg01
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg01.html
----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Mystery Empid - opinions requested
From: Rich Hoyer <birdernaturalist(AT)ME.COM>
Date: 2 Dec 2009 1:45pm
Nate and All,
Did no one notice the tail movements? If the bird dipped it down like
a phoebe, it's a Gray Flycatcher. If it flicked its tail up, it's a
Dusky. Gray also more habitually forages on the ground. To me, bird
looks too pale overall to be Dusky, and the long bill with sharply
demarcated tip looks better for Gray. It also has a posture that looks
more like Gray, leaning slightly forward. But I wouldn't place too
much importance on those features, given that colors and postures in
photos can mislead.
Good Birding,
Rich
---
Rich Hoyer
Tucson, Arizona
http://birdernaturalist.blogspot.com/
Senior Leader for WINGS
http://wingsbirds.com
---
On Dec 2, 2009, at 1:17 PM, Nate Dias wrote:
> Let me preface this post by saying I am aware of the pitfalls of
> trying to definitively ID Empidonax Flycatchers by photo alone. I
> grew up reading works like Kaufman's "Advanced Birding" that state
> this is often not possible.
>
> I have refrained from posting this query to ID-Frontiers for some
> time now, but after hearing fairly positive assertions from multiple
> experts, I have decided to do so. The bird - even if it can only be
> narrowed down to a couple of possibilities - is likely a first state
> record. It was observed during fall migration (mid-September) on
> Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA.
>
>
> When I first encountered the following Empid, I mistakenly chalked
> it up as a Traill's Flycatcher:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/scbirdpics/
>
> (after clicking the thumbnail photos, click the "+ All Sizes" button
> to see an extra-large image. You can also right-click on the image,
> save it to your computer and use Photoshop or other programs to
> adjust brightness, etc)
>
> Back at the time, I foolishly passed off the bird's apparent rounded
> head, grayish color, long tail, and some other features as artifacts
> of bright light, angle and so forth.
>
> We were in the middle of a migration fallout event, and I kept
> getting distracted by Blue-winged Warblers and other goodies. But
> in hindsight, I wish I had ignored them all and gotten some
> videotape of this Empid. I did not hear it vocalizing and I regret
> to say I did not pay attention to things like tail-wagging or tail-
> flicking. I could kick myself over that...
>
> At any rate:
> When I was recently going through some photos and field notes for
> 'catch-up' eBird submissions, I became convinced the bird was NOT a
> Traill's Flycatcher (Willow/Alder complex).
>
> In terms of behavior: the bird stayed fairly low - mostly hanging
> around a small brush pile in a clearing at the edge of a maritime
> forest at the far eastern end of Kiawah Island, SC. It did not use
> high perches or perch in trees out in the open - it kept low and fed
> on Pyralid moths and other bugs around the brush pile and in the
> grass/weeds.
>
>
> * I realize we may not be able to 100% conclusively ID this bird
> from photos alone - but if so, I would like to narrow it down to as
> few possibilities as we can.
>
> Here are my thoughts:
>
> Based on the bird's pale whitish belly and 'dirty' grayish-white
> breast (no yellow or green tones), rounded crown, fairly prominent
> white eye ring, longish tail, short primary projection, very long
> +flat bill, gray coloration, dark-tipped lower mandible and head-
> versus-body size: I feel I can safely rule out all Empids except
> Least Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher and Dusky Flycatcher.
>
> To my mind - the tail seems too long, and the head "too small for
> the body", and the bill too long to be a Least Flycatcher.
>
> I am less confident about ruling out Dusky Flycatcher, but feel it
> may be possible, based on the lack of green tones on the bird's back
> and the very long bill length.
>
> I cannot rule out Gray Flycatcher at all - in fact, that is what I
> think the bird must be.
>
> Any thoughts appreciated.
>
> Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC
>
>
>
>
>
> Join or Leave BIRDWG01:
http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=birdwg01
>
> Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg01.html
Join or Leave BIRDWG01: http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=birdwg01
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg01.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Mystery Empid - opinions requested
From: Nate Dias <offshorebirder(AT)YAHOO.COM>
Date: 2 Dec 2009 2:38pm
Sorry Rich - none of us paid attention to tail-dipping. We were covered in a
fallout swarm and foolishly paid attention to "rare" warblers instead...
I apologize in advance if I have posted an "unanswerable" question - that is why
I've been so hesitant to bring it to this group...
Nate
----- Original Message ----
From: Rich Hoyer <birdernaturalist(AT)me.com>
To: Nate Dias <offshorebirder(AT)YAHOO.COM>
Cc: BIRDWG01(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Sent: Wed, December 2, 2009 3:45:23 PM
Subject: Re: [BIRDWG01] Mystery Empid - opinions requested
Nate and All,
Did no one notice the tail movements? If the bird dipped it down like a phoebe,
it's a Gray Flycatcher. If it flicked its tail up, it's a Dusky. Gray also more
habitually forages on the ground. To me, bird looks too pale overall to be
Dusky, and the long bill with sharply demarcated tip looks better for Gray. It
also has a posture that looks more like Gray, leaning slightly forward. But I
wouldn't place too much importance on those features, given that colors and
postures in photos can mislead.
Good Birding,
Rich
---
Rich Hoyer
Tucson, Arizona
http://birdernaturalist.blogspot.com/
Senior Leader for WINGS
http://wingsbirds.com
---
On Dec 2, 2009, at 1:17 PM, Nate Dias wrote:
> Let me preface this post by saying I am aware of the pitfalls of trying to
definitively ID Empidonax Flycatchers by photo alone. I grew up reading works
like Kaufman's "Advanced Birding" that state this is often not possible.
>
> I have refrained from posting this query to ID-Frontiers for some time now,
but after hearing fairly positive assertions from multiple experts, I have
decided to do so. The bird - even if it can only be narrowed down to a couple
of possibilities - is likely a first state record. It was observed during fall
migration (mid-September) on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA.
>
>
> When I first encountered the following Empid, I mistakenly chalked it up as a
Traill's Flycatcher:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/scbirdpics/
>
> (after clicking the thumbnail photos, click the "+ All Sizes" button to see an
extra-large image. You can also right-click on the image, save it to your
computer and use Photoshop or other programs to adjust brightness, etc)
>
> Back at the time, I foolishly passed off the bird's apparent rounded head,
grayish color, long tail, and some other features as artifacts of bright light,
angle and so forth.
>
> We were in the middle of a migration fallout event, and I kept getting
distracted by Blue-winged Warblers and other goodies. But in hindsight, I wish
I had ignored them all and gotten some videotape of this Empid. I did not hear
it vocalizing and I regret to say I did not pay attention to things like
tail-wagging or tail-flicking. I could kick myself over that...
>
> At any rate:
> When I was recently going through some photos and field notes for 'catch-up'
eBird submissions, I became convinced the bird was NOT a Traill's Flycatcher
(Willow/Alder complex).
>
> In terms of behavior: the bird stayed fairly low - mostly hanging around a
small brush pile in a clearing at the edge of a maritime forest at the far
eastern end of Kiawah Island, SC. It did not use high perches or perch in trees
out in the open - it kept low and fed on Pyralid moths and other bugs around
the brush pile and in the grass/weeds.
>
>
> * I realize we may not be able to 100% conclusively ID this bird from photos
alone - but if so, I would like to narrow it down to as few possibilities as we
can.
>
> Here are my thoughts:
>
> Based on the bird's pale whitish belly and 'dirty' grayish-white breast (no
yellow or green tones), rounded crown, fairly prominent white eye ring, longish
tail, short primary projection, very long+flat bill, gray coloration,
dark-tipped lower mandible and head-versus-body size: I feel I can safely rule
out all Empids except Least Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher and Dusky Flycatcher.
>
> To my mind - the tail seems too long, and the head "too small for the body",
and the bill too long to be a Least Flycatcher.
>
> I am less confident about ruling out Dusky Flycatcher, but feel it may be
possible, based on the lack of green tones on the bird's back and the very long
bill length.
>
> I cannot rule out Gray Flycatcher at all - in fact, that is what I think the
bird must be.
>
> Any thoughts appreciated.
>
> Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC
>
>
>
>
>
> Join or Leave BIRDWG01:
http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=birdwg01
>
> Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg01.html
Join or Leave BIRDWG01: http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=birdwg01
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg01.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Mystery Empid - opinions requested
From: =?windows-1252?Q?Jim_Pike?= <jpike44(AT)EARTHLINK.NET>
Date: 2 Dec 2009 7:57pm
Hi Nate,
I think the head looks too big, the wing too dark and contrasty, and the
distal half of the mandible too dark for Gray Flycatcher. I think the
default choice is Dusky.
regards,
Jim Pike
Huntington Beach, CA
Join or Leave BIRDWG01: http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=birdwg01
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg01.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Mystery Empid - opinions requested
From: Joseph Morlan <jmorlan(AT)GMAIL.COM>
Date: 3 Dec 2009 9:57am
Nate,
I checked the photos this morning. First I do not know what your bird is,
but I am having a lot of trouble turning this bird into either a Dusky
Flycatcher or a Gray Flycatcher.
The most striking feature in your photos is the bold, well-defined circular
eyering. I have never seen such an eyering on a Dusky Flycatcher which
invariably has the eyering broken on the top or top forward section of the
eye.
Gray Flycatcher also invariably (?) shows a broken eyering, usually
narrower on the top and with a gap on the bottom of the eye.
It appears to me that these photos are seriously over-exposed and may not
represent the true colors of the bird. I think I detect a slight contrast
between the gray nape and olive upper back. I agree that the wings are
rather dark and contrasty and that makes me wary of the bird being any
western Empidonax.
Are we sure it's not a Least Flycatcher?
On Wed, 2 Dec 2009 19:57:57 -0700, Jim Pike <jpike44(AT)EARTHLINK.NET> wrote:
>Hi Nate,
>
>I think the head looks too big, the wing too dark and contrasty, and the
>distal half of the mandible too dark for Gray Flycatcher. I think the
>default choice is Dusky.
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA jmorlan (at) ccsf.edu
SF Birding Classes start Feb.9 http://fog.ccsf.edu/jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee http://www.californiabirds.org/
Western Field Ornithologists http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/
Join or Leave BIRDWG01: http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=birdwg01
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg01.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Mystery Empid - opinions requested
From: Steven Mlodinow <sgmlod(AT)AOL.COM>
Date: 3 Dec 2009 1:04pm
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
Greetings All
In response to Joe Morlan's post below, I agree on most points. I just rev=
iewed photos of 10 or so different Gray Flycatchers well photographed in=
Jan-Mar in Baja California Sur
1) the photos are incredibly over-exposed, making judgment of color nearly=
impossible and potentially hiding any slight variation in nape vs back co=
lor, as one might see on a Least or eastern Willow Fly, for example.
2) However, this exposure might also increase apparent contrast between da=
rk tertials centers and paler edges. So, I would discard that mark as usef=
ul, just as I would judgment of color.
3) The bill is looks thick in profile c/w the photos I have of Gray Flys,=
and the black on mandible seems too extensive for Gray (c/w my memory and=
the photos reviewed).
4) The eyerings on the Gray Flycatchers I have photographed differ from wh=
at Joe describes. The eyerings of birds photographed in Baja have distinct=
ly complete eyerings below. In some birds the eyering is thickest below;=
however, pretty consistently the eyering is very narrow, or apparently br=
oken, at the top of the eyering towards the front-- ie, anterior/superior=
portion of eyering. The only (!) photo I have from WA is from Sep. This=
bird -- not a great pic -- seems to show the narrowing mentioned above AN=
D the break beneath Joe mentioned.
5) In the Baja birds, the longest exposed primary typically (this is somew=
hat based on bird's position) is not much longer than the penultimate prim=
ary, and then there is a moderate gap, followed by a shorter gap. This see=
ms moderately consistent in photos, and is different from what is seen in=
photos of the Mystery Bird.
I will try to tackle Dusky Fly option next. The bird looks rather long tai=
led and small headed for a Least, but I wonder if that is partly due to th=
e birds posture, apparently stretching its neck out, as if to have a bette=
r look at something.=20
Best Wishes
Steven Mlodinow
Nate,
I checked the photos this morning. First I do not know what your bird is,
but I am having a lot of trouble turning this bird into either a Dusky
Flycatcher or a Gray Flycatcher.=20
The most striking feature in your photos is the bold, well-defined circula=
r
eyering. I have never seen such an eyering on a Dusky Flycatcher which
invariably has the eyering broken on the top or top forward section of the
eye.
Gray Flycatcher also invariably (?) shows a broken eyering, usually
narrower on the top and with a gap on the bottom of the eye.
It appears to me that these photos are seriously over-exposed and may not
represent the true colors of the bird. I think I detect a slight contrast
between the gray nape and olive upper back. I agree that the wings are
rather dark and contrasty and that makes me wary of the bird being any
western Empidonax.
Are we sure it's not a Least Flycatcher?=20
=20
=20
Join or Leave BIRDWG01:
http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dbirdwg01
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg01.html
----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Mystery Empid - opinions requested
From: Steven Mlodinow <sgmlod(AT)AOL.COM>
Date: 3 Dec 2009 1:36pm
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
Greetings Again
So, I reviewed photos of about 15 Dusky Flycatchers taken during Aug-Sep=
in Washington. All showed COMPLETE eyerings, with some narrowing at the=
anterior superior portion, at the same location many Gray Flycatchers sho=
wed a break in the eyering.
In many of the photographed WA Duskies, the eyering was a bit thicker ant=
eriorly and posteriorly than above or below. Many also showed a vague pale=
area in the lores.=20
The mandible color was highly variable in my WA photos, and in my recollec=
tion of birds seen in WA, especially during fall. Some bills are nearly en=
tirely pale beneath, some nearly entirely dark.=20
In the photographed birds, the primary spacing seems fairly consistent, wi=
th the longest exposed primary not much longer than the penultimate primar=
y, and then even spacing between primaries proximal to that.=20
The Mystery Empid does seem to show a round eyering, not typical for a DUF=
L, but perhaps within range thereof. There seems to be a slightly paler sp=
ot in the lores, though ????=20
The primary spacing seems to match that of Dusky fairly well.=20
So... the bird could be a Dusky. Its overall structure seems more consiste=
nt with that species than Least. I do not see any plumage characters or so=
ft part markings that would strongly go against Dusky, but on the other ha=
nd, there is nothing that I note that rules out Least either, and the eyer=
ing does seem more reminiscent of that species.
If the Mystery Empid photo was taken in WA, I would be very reticent to la=
bel it a Least. On the other hand, for an identification of this difficult=
y, I would not be personally comfortable calling this bird a Dusky Flycatc=
her (especially a vagrant Dusky) on three over-exposed photographs, though=
the challenge of sorting this bird out is most welcome.
Best Wishes
Steven Mlodinow
Nate,
I checked the photos this morning. First I do not know what your bird is,
but I am having a lot of trouble turning this bird into either a Dusky
Flycatcher or a Gray Flycatcher.=20
The most striking feature in your photos is the bold, well-defined circula=
r
eyering. I have never seen such an eyering on a Dusky Flycatcher which
invariably has the eyering broken on the top or top forward section of the
eye.
Gray Flycatcher also invariably (?) shows a broken eyering, usually
narrower on the top and with a gap on the bottom of the eye.
It appears to me that these photos are seriously over-exposed and may not
represent the true colors of the bird. I think I detect a slight contrast
between the gray nape and olive upper back. I agree that the wings are
rather dark and contrasty and that makes me wary of the bird being any
western Empidonax.
Are we sure it's not a Least Flycatcher?=20
On Wed, 2 Dec 2009 19:57:57 -0700, Jim Pike <jpike44(AT)EARTHLINK.NET> wrote:
>Hi Nate,
>
>I think the head looks too big, the wing too dark and contrasty, and the=
=20
>distal half of the mandible too dark for Gray Flycatcher. I think the=20
>default choice is Dusky.
--=20
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA jmorlan (at) ccsf.edu=20
SF Birding Classes start Feb.9 http://fog.ccsf.edu/jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee http://www.californiabirds.org/
Western Field Ornithologists http://www.westernfieldornithologists.o=
rg/
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Subject: Re: Mystery Empid - opinions requested
From: =?windows-1252?Q?Jim_Pike?= <jpike44(AT)EARTHLINK.NET>
Date: 3 Dec 2009 2:12pm
HI,
I too have been reviewing photographs. I agree with Joe that the crisp,
conspicuous eyering looks better for Least, but I don't agree that it
rules out Dusky. On Peter LaTourrette's bird photography website, at least
3 of the 4 photographed Dusky Flycatchers have eyerings that are certainly
thin in the areas described by Joe, but they are nonetheless complete. The
dark wing does favor Least, but given the overexposed photographic
conditions, I'm not sure how true a representation of wing color we're
getting. It comes down to that darn long tail that keeps me from
reconciling this bird with being a Least. As Steve said, we'll never know
what this bird was, but it has been fun to ponder.
Jim Pike
Huntington Beach, CA
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