ML647094314

Media notes

Dispute between Eastern Phoebe and Black Phoebe

Observation details

Initially elusive, it finally joined its two domineering Sayornis cousins in the grassy field facing the wetlands between the parking lot and Fischer’s Gulch where it surprisingly not only held its own, blithely sallying at will, but to our surprise displayed its capital T for Tyrant Flycatcher heritage by flying up to the very top of the tall looming gateway snag tree at the entrance to dense Fischerman’s Gulch where it perched some feet above an unperturbed stationary American Kestrel. This otherwise ground hugging bird had more tricks to display as it sallied freely with a group of YRWA emulating flycatchers across the mesa. We had initially concluded that it early absence was that it was intimidated by the territorial SAPH and BLPHs, but quite evidently not. Description: Darker, flat-ish head, dark gray upper parts, long tail it loves to pump and even wave. Under parts of a light whitish color diffused with a lime tinge that extends from the belly up through to and surrounding the neck to the auricular area. Intermittent abrupt chipping. (33.6849208, -118.0240323) Photos.

Additional species

• Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans