These photos were taken at Fields, Oregon on June 8, 2011. In the field I thought both birds (the one down low in greenery in the ditch, 3 pics, and the one out in the open in the town, 6 pics) were the same species. Now I think they are not the same. What do you think they are? Send me your thoughts at acontrer56@gmail.com, or comment here.
5 comments:
Bird 1 looks like a Hammond's to me (including long primary projection). Bird 2 has much shorter primary projection and fits nicely for Dusky.
I'll go for Hammond's on the first bird due to its short dark bill, clear eyering, long primary extensions, and notched tail. Everyone tells me that the notched tail is a worthless field mark, but Sibley mentions it and I've noticed it on several positively I.D.'d Hammond's lately. Perhaps it is only valuable when added to more reliable features as support?
I want to suggest Pacific-slope for the second bird due to the bill alone. The eyering certainly doesn't "teardrop" enough but perhaps this varies. The bill strikes me as quite large and quite orange underneath. Also, I feel that the bird shows strong green/yellow tones overall. That being said, it could be a Dusky ;-) I.D. by photo is really tough.
Just read McNamara's post on OBOL. Yes, most definitely Gray for the second bird. For some reason Gray wasn't even on my radar. I hardly consider it an Empid. as its habitat and behavior separate it so in the field. The bill seems way too long for Dusky and the non "teardropped" eyering is perfect. Nice work, Tom!
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