A Trip Through Southwest Texas
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AVES.NET |
This is a work in progress (Winter 2004-05) as I process some 3400 images taken on this trip. Below are just some examples of what is to come.
Comments on Gray Flycatcher
Having some experience with eastern empids over the coarse of 26 years of study (including banding more than 400 Least, 120 Yellow-bellied, 120 Alder/Willow, and a dozen or so Acadian), a Gray Flycatcher is a dramatic departure. I have previous experience with all western empids, including Gray Flycatcher on wintering grounds in and around Tucson AZ. The species is an uncommon but regular wintering bird at Rio Grande Village, Big bend N.P. and this record is slightly early early (though the species breeds just a short distance to the north in the Davis Mtns).
Diagnostic Features: The bird presented as a wholly washed out gray bird with a thin bill and longish tail. The white of the eye-ring and frosting to the feather edges of the wings is devoid of any buff color. The throat is a clean white. There is a white spectacle from the eye to the bill. The bird was silent but actively pumped it's tail. The short primary extension, barely covering the upper tail coverts, eliminates Dusky Flycatcher. The bird was observed for several minutes (and could be leisurely located 15 minutes later) as it foraged low in the brush at the eastern edge of the easternmost campground at Rio Grande Vilage (about 50 meters north of the wetland boardwalk entrance).
Plumage comments: If not the an artifact of the lighting, the much paler gray rump, contrasting with the back may be a useful ID tool.
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