10 replies to this topic

[shixingwen]

I got this bird yesterday in Duluth, MN. What bird is it?

http://white-clouds....MG_1186-800.jpg

[jblakelock]

It looks like a Empidonax Flycatcher and by range and with that prominent eye-ring possibly Least, Alder or Yellow-bellied. Wait for some others to chime in though. Maybe someone else can narrow it down.

[shixingwen]

It looks like a Empidonax Flycatcher and by range and with that prominent eye-ring possibly Least, Alder or Yellow-bellied. Wait for some others to chime in though. Maybe someone else can narrow it down.

Thanks, jblakelock! I was thinking about Yellow-bellied but that should have a yellowish eye ring. Then a Least but its wing bars are not that prominent.

Here is another shot: http://white-clouds....MG_1195-800.jpg

It looks more like a Least now.

[jblakelock]

I can't seem to distinguish between Alder and Least. I think you're right on about ruling out Yellow-bellied based on the white eye-ring. Did you hear it vocalize? Often that is the only way to differentiate flycatcher species. I was thinking that the wing-bars looked pretty prominent.

[shixingwen]

I can't seem to distinguish between Alder and Least. I think you're right on about ruling out Yellow-bellied based on the white eye-ring. Did you hear it vocalize? Often that is the only way to differentiate flycatcher species. I was thinking that the wing-bars looked pretty prominent.

Unfortunately, I didn't hear it singing. It was a bit far away.

[blackburnian]

id go with alder

[Kryptos18]

IMO Primary projection is a bit long for Least. Eyering is pretty large however.... in short, I'm stuck at Empid sp. on this one.

[shixingwen]

id go with alder

Thanks, blackburnian! Everything matches except for the prominent white eye ring. An Alder should have a faint, whitish eye ring.

[shixingwen]

IMO Primary projection is a bit long for Least. Eyering is pretty large however.... in short, I'm stuck at Empid sp. on this one.

Thanks, Kryptos18!

[TheBillyPilgrim]

I agree that the primary projection is too long for a Least. Based on this plumage, this is a young bird that just molted into its new plumage, so that may be making the eye-ring really stand out brightly and throwing off the ID. I can see it as a Trails-type, but unfortunately you can't distinguish Alder from Willow without hearing it vocalize. Not 100% on that ID, though.

[shixingwen]

I agree that the primary projection is too long for a Least. Based on this plumage, this is a young bird that just molted into its new plumage, so that may be making the eye-ring really stand out brightly and throwing off the ID. I can see it as a Trails-type, but unfortunately you can't distinguish Alder from Willow without hearing it vocalize. Not 100% on that ID, though.

Thanks, TheBillyPilgrim!