6 replies to this topic

[jblakelock]

First time seeing any Flycatchers other than Phoebes. Pictures taken in Mount Diablo State Park at Mitchell Canyon. It seems that Ash-throated is the only one like this in the area. The vocalizations I heard were all very short and they all had brown tails. Sorry about the quality on some of these. The pictures are from three separate occurrences.

1.


IMG_0039 by JJB1998, on Flickr

2.


IMG_0040 by JJB1998, on Flickr

3. These are two separate ones that were together.


IMG_0032 by JJB1998, on Flickr



IMG_0034 by JJB1998, on Flickr

[psweet]

Definitely Myiarchus, and I don't see anything that would rule out Ash-throated.

[guy_incognito]

Looks good for Ash-throated. Bill not big enough for Brown-crested, too much rufous in tail for Dusky-capped, not bright enough yellow for Great Crested (I'm ignoring range).

[wildfelco]

Some pictures have very yellow belly, and the tail of Ash have black ending. And some of urs missing that black markings. So I am not convinced this is just a Ash.

[creeker]

Some pictures have very yellow belly, and the tail of Ash have black ending. And some of urs missing that black markings. So I am not convinced this is just a Ash.

Young birds lack the black in the tail, and the bellies don't look too dark a yellow for Ash-throated. I've birded Mt. Diablo a bunch of times. Ash-throated were all I ever saw there.

[wildfelco]

2nd seems to be fairly dark, not sure if it do the the angle (which we dont often see) and the bird look to be a adult.

[jblakelock]

Thanks everyone for all the help.

Guy, like the comparison checklist.

Wildfelco, not sure what you mean by "2nd seems to be fairly dark". There's does seem to be a dark teardrop visible on the bird's left side tail, but the direct light is softening it. I saw about a dozen of these birds and definitely did see a couple that had a brighter brown tail. Thinking these could have been young birds. I think the last picture shows one of them.

Creeker, thanks for the first hand input. I'm guessing you'e been on the Mitchell Canyon trail. It was my first time there. Great place. Saw a lot of different species and got a handful of lifers.