Posted by Michelle Davis on September 26, 2001 at 13:15:53:
Hey everybody,
I guess I was wrong when I thought the flycatcher was going to hang around, since David La Puma & I have not been able to relocate it as of 10AM today(9/26).
This is doubly aggravating because after consulting Howell & Webb Birds of Mexico yesterday evening, I have reason to believe it may have been a Streaked flycatcher instead. Two reasons: the bird I saw had a whiter belly than the illustrations I have seen for S.B;(I have seen SB's in AZ a couple times but it has been awhile); and the second more convincing feature was an obviously bi-colored bill, with the black tip about 50% of the length. Both guides I referred to show the Streaked with a bicolored bill, and Sulphur-bellied as having a mostly dark bill with some pale at the base. Unfortunately, I was not familliar with Streaked/Sulphur-bellied ID problems at the time I was actually observing the bird, and failed to notice a mark Robin Diaz later mentioned- the malar stripe continuing down across the throat on sulphur-bellied. I didn't notice one way or another before the bird flew.
I would love to hear from anyone with any experience with these two species, especially as to how well the bill color field mark holds up.
Somebody else needs to see this thing!!AAARRGGGHHH!!!
Michelle