ML619832289

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Probably a Western, but has enough Eastern traits that ID is likely impossible without vocalizations, and this bird was silent. Seen flycatching at (38.494532, -121.693648) around 11:25am. Initially mistook the bird for a willow flycatcher due to the pale lower mandible, bright wing bars, and posture with tail held down at an angle, but streaking on the undertail coverts are diagnostic for a wood-pewee. Wing bars are both bright and with roughly equal contrast to the wing, which is more typical of EAWP but not entirely out of range for WEWP. Lower mandible almost entirely orange/yellow, slightly darkening at the tip, in the overlap range for both species. Primary projection is long, but relatively short compared to tail length -- tail projection (primary tip to tail tip) is significantly longer than primary projection, which is an EAWP trait. The bird almost always held its tail down at an angle, giving a much more empid-like shape than the typical WEWP posture with the tail held straight in line with the back. Overall coloration was quite pale, with the throat and belly almost pure white, and the dusky vest was paler than I've seen on other WEWP, again leaning slightly towards EAWP. Photos.

Technical information

Model

NIKON D500

Lens

500.0 mm f/5.6

ISO

2800

Focal length

500 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/2000 sec

Dimensions

959 pixels x 1234 pixels

Original file size

807.11 KB