Photo taken in Texas Hill Country recently. It looks like a flycatcher of some type, but I don't know which one. I know someone can help me with the ID. I have other views if needed. Thanks for any help.
Yes, this is a flycatcher - one of the Myiarchus family. If this had been taken in the eastern half of the United States the only candidate would be Great Crested Flycatcher.
But in Texas the great Crested occurs only in the eastern half, while the very similar Ash-throated Flycatcher takes its place in the western half of TX.
Given the paleness of the yellow on the bird in your image I'd call this an Ash-throated.
I'm less confident than Richard in using range in the hill country of Texas. The ranges of the Great Crested and Ash-throated overlap there; I've seen both species on the same day. But I agree with Richard's ID: the bill is solid black, and I'd expect a Great Crested's to be horn colored, at least on the base of the mandible. And a Great Crested has a pretty sharp delineation between the grey and lemon on its chest, while the Ash-throated has a smoother transition. There's not much differentiation here. Finally, the Ash-throated's yellow chest is paler than a Great Crested's, as we see here. So I agree with Richard: Ash-throated Flycatcher.
Jim makes a good point about making id's based on range maps alone, and I agree completely with him. I mentioned the ranges mostly because I don't know exactly where the Hill Country is in Texas and wanted to make sure that all probable species were included in the id process.
It is usually helpful to know what birds are expected in an area when beginning an id as it helps the birder focus on the features that differentiate closely related species. But every experienced birder knows that species can and do occur outside of their normal range: its one of the factors that makes birding so exciting! I still remember seeing an Ash-throated Flycatcher in New Jersey after it had been discovered in December on a Christmas Bird Count.
I agree with Richard and Jim that it is not a Great Crested Flycatcher because of the pale yellow and lack of definition between the yellow and gray. Great-crested Flycatchers are a fairly common sight here in the midwest. I lean toward Ash-throated as they do, however the bill seems rather long, possibly indicating a Brown-crested Flycatcher. The amount of rufous color in the tail would help in the ID, but it is not visible in this image. Sibley's indicates the range of the Brown-crested extending into southern Texas. I am with Richard, not sure what is considered Texas Hill Country.
...however the bill seems rather long, possibly indicating a Brown-crested Flycatcher
- Matt
This is a Myiarchus flycatcher from AZ, June 2007. It surprised me at a park water feature while I was shooting much smaller goldfinches and I barely got it all in the frame. I've labeled it as a Brown-crested based mostly on the size of the bill, so I thought it would be worthwhile tossing into the discussion on your Texas bird.
Rich's photo is a great illustration--(for me at least) the obvious difference in bill between ATFL and BCFL is not so much length as depth. The BCFL's bill is much heavier, which is well shown here. The original bird posted looks fine for an Ash-throat to me.
Discussion
9 repliesBut in Texas the great Crested occurs only in the eastern half, while the very similar Ash-throated Flycatcher takes its place in the western half of TX.
Given the paleness of the yellow on the bird in your image I'd call this an Ash-throated.
It is usually helpful to know what birds are expected in an area when beginning an id as it helps the birder focus on the features that differentiate closely related species. But every experienced birder knows that species can and do occur outside of their normal range: its one of the factors that makes birding so exciting! I still remember seeing an Ash-throated Flycatcher in New Jersey after it had been discovered in December on a Christmas Bird Count.
By the way, great image.
This is a Myiarchus flycatcher from AZ, June 2007. It surprised me at a park water feature while I was shooting much smaller goldfinches and I barely got it all in the frame. I've labeled it as a Brown-crested based mostly on the size of the bill, so I thought it would be worthwhile tossing into the discussion on your Texas bird.