[CT Birds] Derby Empidonax

[Greg Hanisek]

I wanted to provide some information on ths excellent find by Roy Harvey at Osbornedale State Park in Derby. (Someone said we need to buy him a drink; Mark Szantyr said, "A drink? We should buy him a car!") In other words this is a real goodie.

All discussion needs to be couched in the cautious terminology required when dealing with Empidonax flycatchers somewhere other than on their breeding grounds. That being said, the concensus, as the bird provided excellent views on Saturday, was a likely Western Flycatcher.

Note that "Western" is a generic term in the sense that the species formerly known as Western Flycatcher has for some time consisted of two species - Pacific-slope and Cordilleran Flycatchers. They are essentially identical and are best separated by voice - specifically the males' calls. So out-of-range individuals can be correctly referred to as Western Flycatchers.

The bird is quite yellow on the throat, a featured shared with Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. However, this is one of those cases where seasonality makes a species that's more expected at one time of year a super-rarity at another. Although Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is a regular spring and fall migrant, it is essentially unknown in North America in late fall and winter. It's rare after about mid-September. Western Flycatcher would be a new species for Connecticut, but it has a history of late fall and early winter appearances in the East. It's very rare but not unexpected.

Some of the features that led those present toward Western included: slightly crested appearance at times, rather almond-shaped eyering, relatively long tail,  grayish-brown rather than black wings, vigorous simultaneous flicking of wings and tail. These are relative features but in combination they help make a case for Western.  Others will probably offer additional thoughts.

Many excellent photographs were taken and I'm sure before the night is over links will be available. 

Greg Hanisek
Waterbury