Monday, September 9, 2013

eBird Life Bird #414: Least Flycatcher

I've seen lots of bird species while growing up in Kentucky, living in Japan, traveling to Europe, Asia, Indonesia, Australia, Hawaii, The Dominican Republic, several other countries, and most of the lower 48 US states. However, I didn't start tracking and counting the species I observed until about three years ago when I started using eBird. Several months ago I entered an observation for Least Flycatcher. It's a rare bird for the state of Utah so documenting the sighting with photos in eBird helped to confirm its identity officially. Least Flycatcher was recorded as species #414 in my eBird life list. eBird allows average citizens and bird enthusiasts to participate in science by reporting sightings. Range maps for bird species can be updated based on sightings reported by eBird users. It also keeps a personal record for those who use it. Check it out if you haven't used it before by clicking here.

I heard about the presence of the Least Flycatcher in Farmington, Utah from local birders and eBird reports sent to me for rare bird sightings in the state of Utah. It was easy to locate the flycatcher when I drove to its reported location because of the strong voice coming from the hidden bird.The little bird was singing a very loud and steady "Che-Beek" song, a sure sign for Least Flycatcher. Ryan O'Donnell, a post-doctoral researcher at Utah State University and the USGS, recorded and posted the song of a Least Flycatcher he encountered in Cache County, Utah. Click the play button to listen to the song.


Least Flycatcher is one of about ten North American empidonax flycatchers that are very similar in appearance. The sounds made by these birds are often the best way to identify them to the species level. If they don't make a "peep" so to speak, they may end up being lumped under "empidonax flycatcher." This drives many birders crazy because they want to be more specific in their IDs.

Most field guides use words like "small, olive-gray upper parts, medium-width bill, yellow or pale lower mandible, short primary projection, etc." to describe Least Flycatcher. Those words could be used to describer multiple empidonax flycatchers.

Below is a series of images of the Least Flycatcher I observed on Lund Lane in Farmington, UT. I'm sure if I posted some of these images without explanation and asked experts which flycatcher was being shown I'd get various responses and most would ask if I was able to hear the bird at all. Location would probably also be important to someone trying to identify a mystery flycatcher. The images below show the same individual from various angles and in a range of lighting situations. The shape, color, etc. change from one image to another and hopefully illustrate why a single image or glimpse is often insufficient to identify empidonax flycatchers to the species level.

Least Flycatcher Farmington, UT
Least Flycatcher Farmington, UT
Least Flycatcher Farmington, UT
Least Flycatcher Farmington, UT
Least Flycatcher Farmington, UT
Least Flycatcher Farmington, UT
Least Flycatcher Farmington, UT
Least Flycatcher Farmington, UT
Least Flycatcher Farmington, UT
Here are a few other empidonax flycatchers thrown in just so you see why so many people have a hard time telling one species from another when they see them in the field. Some experienced birders call this following bird a Dusky Flycatcher and some a Cordilleran. What would you call this flycatcher?


I think this one is a Dusky Flycatcher based on the rounded head, rather long looking tail, light gray with slight olive-colored back, and medium-length, mostly dark bill. The eye ring is thin, not quite complete.


Dusky Flycatcher Mill Race Pond. This one allows a notched tail to be seen where the one above does not. Duskies can show either squared or notched depending on the bird.


Gray Flycatcher at Deseret Ranch. The head is rounded, bill is long, overall grayish coloring, found in sagebrush habitat.



Willow Flycatcher River Lane. I first heard it giving a "ritz-pew" call, the unique call of a Willow Flycatcher. It was found in brushy habitat bordering a lake.


Hammond's Flycatcher found during migration. This one has a slight crest, small bill, gray upperside, long primary projection. The eye ring is thicker behind the eye and it appears to have spectacles on with the whitish area between the eye and the bill.


The Dusky Flycatcher below was first identified as it was heard singing from small aspens and conifers on the edge of a mixed forest. Duskies are similar in appearance to Hammond's and Least Flycatchers. Thank goodness for their individual breeding grounds, calls, and songs.


6 comments:

  1. Congrats!!!! Always a thrill to find a new lifebird!!! That one is still on my list:)

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    1. Thanks, Chris. The life birds are becoming fewer and further between since I'm not travelling much. I need to explore new places :)

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  2. Congratulations on your 414th sighting. The more I find out about your birds, the more challenging they seem! Another interesting post, thanks.

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    1. I think you'll find some great birds when you come our way on your next trip. I can't wait to see and hear about what you find, Happy.

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  3. Ahh...I love me some Flycatchers...

    I'm envious as I've yet to see this one, but great photos Jeff and great find!

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    1. I love me some of the great birds you found on your recent trip to SE AZ. You had quite the productive trip, Laurence. Thanks for commenting.

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