ML231255821
Gray/Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax wrightii/oberholseri
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age and sex
- Adult, Unknown sex - 1
- Sounds
- Call
- Playback
- Not specified
Observation details
One pale grayish empidonax flycatcher, first heard and then briefly seen. I found it in the area that Adam Nashban had reported a Gray Flycatcher less than an hour before. It was steadily “whit”-ing from somewhere within the fennel forest that is the Willamette Bluff dogbowl. After recording it, I was able to track it down, as it flew into a nearby tree. My observations were somewhat brief, and the bird was largely obscured within the tree. It appeared to have a shortish primary projection, dull eyering, and muted amounts of green on the upperparts. I watched it make one complete down pump of its tail, and believe it may have made another one, but it was somewhat hidden within the foliage at that point. Soon after, I completely lost the bird, as it must have flown out the back side without me seeing it. I attempted to relocate it for awhile after that, but was unable. Originally, I felt comfortable with an ID of Gray Flycatcher based on my own observations and the circumstances of where I found it. However, a Dusky Flycatcher was seen in the vicinity about an hour after my detection. Based off what I saw, I’m not sure I can entirely rule out a Dusky Flycatcher, largely owing to the brevity of my sighting, but would still lean Gray Flycatcher. I have since listed it as such. I will also attach the recording I obtained. After re-listening to several “whit” vocalizations from each species, I’m questioning how confident I felt in separating the two based off calls alone. Perhaps the spectrogram will illuminate the situation.
Additional species
Technical information
- Recorder
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 77.66 KB