Unidentified or not this bird deserves to be seen.
I’m way out of my league when it comes to identifying Empidonax flycatchers. The many species of Empids are so similar in plumage they’re pretty much undistinguishable using physical features. Birders generally have to fall back on range, habitat and call to distinguish them and even then it’s often a crap shoot.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
This flycatcher was one of three birds that showed up unexpectedly in a mixed clump of wild rose and sumac four days ago in a remote area of northern Utah. Recently I posted photos of the other two, a female Western Tanager and a male Bullock’s Oriole, so I decided this handsome bird also deserved Andy Warhol’s “15 minutes of fame.” Besides I figured there’s a slight chance that someone out there might be able to ID “him” with at least some degree of confidence.
I know, fat chance of that but it’s possible.
I had about ten seconds with him before he flew off and in that time he didn’t call or flick his wings or tail, behavioral traits that can sometimes be used as clues to ID. Except for turning his head he didn’t even give me any other poses so I never saw his back side. I swear, it must have been his avowed intention to remain anonymous.
The only Empid I can often ID with confidence is the Willow Flycatcher, using its distinctive call which I’m familiar with. But this bird didn’t call and even though there’s a small amount of water nearby there are no willows so habitat doesn’t help me much.
I suspect he’ll have to remain unidentified and that’s OK. I don’t necessarily have to identify birds to appreciate them.
Ron
Note:
The genus name Empidonax comes from Ancient Greek – empis meaning “gnat” and anax meaning “master”. “Gnat master”, I like that. Especially given my burning hatred of the biting gnats on Antelope Island.
I can definitely say that I’m in agreement with all comments so far. I must say, though, that I feel just a touch of schadenfreude that even good birders are ID challenged with empidonaces (yep, looked it up). I can just hear them saying “gnats”. Or is it “rats”? I have trouble understanding what either people or birds are saying.
🙂
Wow, does this one even have Mia stumped? It is a nice looking little “Gnat Master”.
April, Mia wasn’t with me that day so she didn’t see the bird.
My complete and utter ignorance leads me to say:
What’s in a name? that which we call a empidonax By any other name would look as sweet’.
Love Arwen’s comment.
The Bard of Australia strikes again… 🙂
Not a clue as to which one this may be, but what a beautiful little bird and lovely setting for this portrait. I only rarely have seen the Pacific-slope flycatcher in my backyard—and my only view of the Willow version was at the Sea of Cortez several years ago, in a willow-like shrub!
I agree, Chris – this is one handsome bird. Flycatchers generally don’t get a lot of attention from many folks and I’ve never understood why.
I keep having questions about my ID guess. The head looks much like a Western Wood-Pewee, which is not an Empidonax flycatcher but looks very similar to them. But pewees are usually very vocal and I would think you would have heard it. Additionally, the wings don’t look long enough. While sitting, the wingtips of a Pewee should extend well beyond the base of the tail and that’s not the case in this bird. For now, I’ll stick to my guess of Gray but I could be easily talked out of it.
Dan, with my lack of skill in this arena it will have to be someone else who might try to talk you out of it.
I wondered about the Western Wood-Pewee, too, especially because it didn’t flick it’s tail and was perched at the top of a shrub.
These guys are hard enough to ID in the field where other clues are present but photos can present a real challenge. My guess (and it’s just a guess) would be Gray Flycatcher. The dark mandible, lack of a strong eyering and light throat point that direction, but I’ve seen many Empids that don’t have a strong eyering not in Gray Flycatcher territory. So, just my guess. If your photo could only call it would certainly help
Dan, I was so hoping this bird would call while I had it in my viewfinder. No such luck.
Ron,
At my level, I would have been happy with “Flycatcher!” 🙂
Me too, Stephen. Or just Empidonax sp.
These cool little birds stump all of us for a while, at least! Myself included!
But, here is a resource an Oregon border wrote to help…
https://nwbackyardbirder.blogspot.com/2012/06/empid-id-in-3-easy-steps.html?m=1
Haven’t had a chance yet to put your bird through the questions, but will try to do later!
Thanks for the link, Barbara. I’ll check it out.
In the app, Merlin Bird ID, the first choice is Willow flycatcher, and the second is Least (seems unlikely as there is no eye ring).
Willow Flycatcher seems to be becoming the consensus, Jonelle. I wouldn’t disagree.
Love “gnat master!”
Soo do I.
Very nice photo Ron. The flycatchers I have photographed here are Willow, Hammond’s, Dusky, Cordilleran, Vermilion, and Ash-throated. Each time I have done so I have had to ask one of our bird experts to ID it for me so I am no help in assisting you. It does look very much like the Dusky one I just recently saw.
My guess is Great Crested Flycatcher. Not sure it’s found in Utah, but it’s what it looks like to me.
In looking at my Sibley I’m joining the “Willow Flycatcher” group. Love your photos and posts. Thank you.
Thanks, Noel.
The Great Crested Flycatcher does not have a range extending into the western states. They are larger than Empidonax flycatchers and usually very vocal. They also have a bright yellow belly. However, it would be an attractive bird to have here (I’m in Oregon but they don’t extend as far west as Utah, either.) Flycatcher ID is always a tricky endeavor and most often one goes with what is most familiar.
Noel, Dan’s three points about why it’s so unlikely this bird is a Great Crested are the same points I was planning to make.
Pretty little bird. Must be famous and on holiday. No time for paparazzi. 🙂
He certainly had very little time for me.
maybe a Western Wood-Pewee. the lack of eye-ring and whitish throat would be good for Willow, but the bill seems too small to me. the pointy head looks pewee-ish.
got any good profile shots of the whole bird? especially showing relative wing/tail length?
“got any good profile shots of the whole bird?”
Nope. Like I said in my post this was the only pose he gave me.
I observerd western & eastern wood peewee sitting in the cemetary in Butte Montana where there ranges overlap. I would play there respective vocalizations on my phone to stimulate there territorial respone. Sitting in my car they would engage there reflection in my side mirror.
Cute little devil…… 🙂 I love watching the flycatchers here – more than one type and no idea as to ID 😉 They and the swallows are great insect control… Yellow Warblers seem to be be pretty efficient at that also….
Yup, all three are deadly for insects.
I’m with you Ron on trying to identify these little birds. My best guess is either a Willow Flycatcher, or a Least Flycatcher, but I wouldn’t bet more than a small cup of coffee on either!
Keith, it’s my tendency to always suspect Willow Flycatcher but that’s only because they’re the species I most often see. Not a good strategy…