ML646944007

Observation details

Lifer! I've been wanting to see this species for so long now. With this, I've finally seen all 3 species in genus Sayornis. And what an adorable little bird this was! Almost got worried that I wouldn't see it, because it wasn't there for the first 15 minutes or so, but when I returned from checking the ponds to the north, it was up on the hill in the same general area it was reported yesterday. Overall, this individual offered great looks, perching up on the tall, dead grass like the other Phoebes. Frequently bobbed tail, sallying out to catch insects (at least one successful catch in my time watching, though it may have snagged several smaller insects that I didn't notice). The back of the bird was a brownish color, similar to but slightly more metallic than the darkest of the dead plants. Wings are the same color as the back but possess feathers lined by the same shade of yogurt off-white as the belly and throat. Speaking of, I noticed that this species' pattern, aside from coloration, was notably distinct from the others by the extent of the underside coloration. On Eastern, the Phoebe's underside color extends up past the chest, where it is gently vested similarly to a Contopus flycatcher (though not as intense), and reaches the neck and throat, also creating the impression of a scarf-like pattern above the shoulders. This compares to its cousins, with BLPH's white sharply cut off at the top of the belly and Say's salmon-orange fades away at the breast. Crest was more rounded, giving this individual a rounder appearance compared to the more angular Black and (especially) Say's Phoebes. The bird's head was a significantly darker shade of brown, contrasting notably with the rest of the back and wings as well as the white on the throat. Called at irregular intervals but for a few minutes each time, making a soft, slightly descending "chit" that seemed gentler than the BLPH's very similar but notably more piercing "whit" call and the SAPH's more mournful "pwe-uh" call. Interesting to hear the differences! All media uploaded; photo, audio, and video. How fun! Thanks again to Jasmine Kay for finding this individual!