I was not going to report this since it appeared so unlikely, until yesterday
when talking to a fellow birder, I was advised that John Fox had observed a
likely Gray Kingbird earlier this year in Arlington.
Anyway, on this past Sunday morning, August 6, about 9 AM, at the start of
the Huntley Meadows boardwalk, I observed a large flycatcher-like bird perched
on a snag on the far side of tree. It was facing somewhat away from me, but I
was able to see that its lower back and tail were dark, and the large tail
knotched. The head was also visible and I was impressed by the massiveness of
its bill. The upper body was obscured by a tree limb, so I did not see the
breast area well.
Within a minute, it flew off behind trees but I was able to notice that its
undersides were light. I was unable to relocate it then, or on my return from
covering the rest of the boardwalk at about 10:30 AM.
After reviewing the bird guides, the best I could come up with was Gray
Kingbird, a species I have seen in Florida but many years ago. I cannot totally
rule out Olive-sided Flycatcher because I did not get a view of its breast area
(i.e. vest) but there was no sign of white tufts on its lower back (though not
always visible). The massiveness of the bill leans me toward Gray Kingbird. I
just wish I could have observed whether the bird had a black ear patch.
The whole point of the above is that if you are birding at
Huntley-Meadows,you might want to be on the lookout for this bird. I'm sorry
for the lateness
of this post.
Ralph Wall
Great Falls, VA
