Re: Flycatcher update-going out on a limb here!

Subject:

Comments:
: Hello Michelle, birders, : Sorry the myiodynastes wasn't relocated today, a myiodynastes in Florida is a great find! I think Streaked Flycatcher is a viable candidate to show in Florida, so being prepared for the ID challenge is warranted. : When confronted with myiodynastes in the field, the Streaked Flycatcher appears paler on the head and throat, where as the Sulphur-bellied is overall dark on the head, chin and neck. The amount of pale on the base of the bill is unreliable in the field since Sulphur-bellieds can show quite a bit of flesh, but in general a myiodynastes with half the bill flesh will often prove to be Streaked. The amount of yellow on the underparts is variable and something I have found to be of little value in the field, as lighting can affect the contrast. : To clinch the id for Streaked, look for a lemon colored supercillium and rusty edges to the greater wing coverts. On Sulphur-bellied look for a black-chin, a white supercilium and white edges to the wing coverts. : Other species to consider are Variegated and Piratic Flycatchers. : Good luck and I hope it is refound. : Kurt Radamaker : : 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

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL: