9 replies to this topic

[Bill81258606]

This was taken three weeks ago in SE Arizona. Might it be an olive-sided flycatcher due to the "spots" below the belly? Thanks.

[Liam]

Where in Southeast Arizona? It's possible you have Greater Pewee within range. This doesn't really strike me as a Greater Pewee, though. They tend to show a crest, similar to titmice.

[Bill81258606]

Madera Canyon near Green Valley.

[Liam]

On eBird, Greater Pewee sightings are everywhere in Madera Canyon. I'm not seeing any sign of a crest, though.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

I'm inclined to go Western Wood-Peewee on this guy, though not 100% from this angle. There's not distinct enough of a vest and the tail is too long for an Olive-Sided and, as Liam noted, I'd expect a distinct crest on a Greater.

[Liam]

I'm inclined to go Western Wood-Peewee on this guy, though not 100% from this angle.

Ditto

[Aveschapines]

Ok, with some hesitation because I'm not that experienced, I am thinking Greater Pewee on this one; I clearly see the bright orange lower mandible charactieristic of Greaters, The OP described it as large, and I get that impression from the photos. As to the crest, I often see Greaters with the crest partly or mostly flattened, and from the angle of these photos I wouldn't expect to see the crest anyway.

Tell me why I'm wrong and help me learn!!!

[creeker]

Aren't the smudges on the undertail coverts diagnostic for Western Wood-Pewee?

[cestma]

Aren't the smudges on the undertail coverts diagnostic for Western Wood-Pewee?

Western and Eastern, IIRC. But according to my Sibley, not characteristic of Greater.

--Diane G.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

As for the orange lower mandible, Wood-Peewees generally show a yellowish-orange one, so I'm not sure how useful that is as the only positive mark (i.e. nothing else points to Greater specifically).