{"id":98842,"date":"2021-06-01T05:21:02","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T11:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.featheredphotography.com\/blog\/?p=98842"},"modified":"2021-06-01T05:54:27","modified_gmt":"2021-06-01T11:54:27","slug":"unidentified-flycatcher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/06\/01\/unidentified-flycatcher\/","title":{"rendered":"Unidentified Flycatcher"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unidentified or not this bird deserves to be seen.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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<\/em><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

I know, fat chance of that but it’s possible.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

I suspect he’ll have to remain unidentified and that’s OK. I don’t necessarily have to identify birds to appreciate them.<\/p>\n

Ron<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Note:<\/em><\/p>\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Unidentified or not this bird deserves to be seen.<\/p>\n

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