Agree it is Hammond’s or Dusky. The shape is more Hammond’s, with a big grayish
head. In a couple of pics there is a sort of foofy crest, which I associate
with Hammond's. The bill does look a bit large and the primary extension not
very long, but I’m not sure how variable these are.
I’m not sure what molt timing tells us here. This appears to be a first-year
bird (very obvious yellow gape) and seems to still have some of the fluffier
feathers that young birds have, e.g. the loose feathers covering the lesser
coverts in a couple of pics. However, I could be seeing things, as the whole
bird is fluffed.
I often get empids wrong, but there’s my ten cents.
Alan Contreras
acontrer56@xxxxxxxxx
Eugene, Oregon
www.alanlcontreras.com
On Nov 12, 2020, at 7:09 PM, Craig Miller <gismiller@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thank you Bill for sharing these excellent photos of a very late Empid.
I am better at ruling species out than identifying with certainty.
It is not a:
Willow or Alder Flycatcher - the eye ring is too pronounced
Hammond's Flycatcher - the bill is too large, and primary extensions too
short I think
Gray Flycatcher - too colorful and not lanky enough
Acadian Flycatcher - breast is not pale enough, lower bill tip is dark, not
pale, eye ring is not thin and complete
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - insufficient black secondary margin, eye ring is
not thin enough
That leaves Dusky Flycatcher and Western-type Flycatcher. If the bill was
relatively narrow as you observed, that would rule out Western-type
Flycatcher and leave Dusky.
I don't see any features that distinctly rule out Dusky Flycatcher, so that
is what I am left with.
It will be interesting to see the opinions of others. Am I missing something?
Cheers,
Craig Miller
Bend, OR
On Thu, Nov 12, 2020 at 4:53 PM bill shelmerdine <georn1@xxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:georn1@xxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
All,
While birding Hatfield Lake a couple of days ago I encountered an interesting
empid. I have been on the road, just returned home today and downloaded some
digi-scoped photos of the bird and entered the trip list into ebird. I have
yet to work out the I.D. and would welcome any comments or suggestions.
Could lead to some interesting discussion and a chance to learn. Photos and
notes can be found here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S76175560 ;
<https://ebird.org/checklist/S76175560>
Bill Shelmerdine
Olympia WA
