ML440286581

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Found after nestbox monitoring at around 4:45pm with Sonjia Shelly. First seen flycatching from around these coordinates (38.5725572, -121.7581001). After obtaining some photos and studying the bird, I sent out word to the local whatsapp and was joined by a handful of others. It was active and moving around as I followed it for the next couple of hours, but typically stayed low- to mid-level in cottonwoods and willows. As I picked up on this bird, I quickly eliminated Pacific-slope by the drab color and circular eyering. Bill length, color, and lack of a downward phoebe-style tail-wag ruled out Gray Flycatcher as well. This was a fairly drab gray and green empid with only the faintest hint of a vest. The bill was moderate in length, longer than the average Hammond's but shorter than Gray. The upper mandible was dark, and the lower mandible was fleshy orange almost to the tip. The head was very rounded ("dopey headed") in most views, but occasionally had a slight peak depending on the angle and whether the bird appeared relaxed or not. The eyering was very circular, slightly fuller in the rear, and by no means tear-dropped shaped. The primary projection, to my eye, was short to medium length. Not the shortest primaries I've ever seen for a Dusky, but I think still within range. The tail appeared very long, especially in comparison to the multiple Hammond's around. Yet this bird would occasionally flick its tail upwards, unlike a Gray. Despite several attempts at playback in the hopes of hearing this bird vocalize, it was silent. Both Hammond's in the area calling a few times during the course of watching them. The Dusky became slightly agitated by Dusky playback, but would not respond. Even without hearing this bird "whit,", I and everyone present believe this to be a Dusky Flycatcher. While it made it confusing at times, it was nice to have at least 2 Hammond's in the area as well for repeated study. After discovering this bird with Sonjia, I was joined throughout the evening by Cameron Tescher, Ethan Monk, Frank Fabbro, Bart Wickel, Sean Smith, Kirk Swenson, Konshau Duman, Lynette Williams, Wentao Yang, Violet Wu, and Jason Riggio. The bird appeared on and off until about 7:00pm. Stoked to find my own county bird in my home patch!

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Lens

EF400mm f/5.6L USM

ISO

640

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/640 sec

Dimensions

1669 pixels x 1192 pixels

Original file size

1.18 MB