Flycatcher, Caribbean Side of Canal, Panama (1 Viewer)

Hi,
I have been trying to ID this bird for a few hours. I think it is a Yellow-olive Flycatcher, but it has many of the same attributes as the Yellow-margined Flycatcher. I have googled images and some that are called Y-O look like my bird and and others marked as Y-M look like my bird. I don't think half of them are labeled right at this point. This is a lifer and I am not comfortable putting it on my list without confirmation. My reasons for Y-O:
1. Ridgely points out there is usually a 'prominent' pale speculum at the base of primaries on the YM. I can't see that. I have blown up and sharpened a side view to help with ID. #1 photo
2. Pale iris (but apparently Y-M usually has dark--I don't know if this is one of the unusual instances)
3. Fairly prominent wing-bars.
4. Underparts not too contrasted.
I didn't hear a call and both birds are present in my location.
Any help and or comments would be appreciated.
Thank-you,
Sue

Hi Sue,
Flycatchers are difficult and I usually get them wrong, so I should not be attempting to answer here, but: I think you are right.

For one thing, Ridgely writes that the pale speculum is lacking in Yellow-olive

Niels

njlarsen said:

Hi Sue,
Flycatchers are difficult and I usually get them wrong, so I should not be attempting to answer here, but: I think you are right.

For one thing, Ridgely writes that the pale speculum is lacking in Yellow-olive

Niels

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Hi Niels,
Thanks for clarifying things. In my reasons for thinking YO, I had written,
"1. Ridgely points out there is usually a 'prominent' pale speculum at the base of primaries. I can't see that."
I failed to put YM in that sentence. I've edited.
You are the second to cast a vote for YO. Thanks for your input.
I am going to go back manana and see if I can't find the bird again. Probably won't get lucky...but, try, try again.
Sue

Hi Sue,

Your bird looks like a Yellow-olive Flycatcher to me. The Yellow-margined is really similar, but the wing coverts are more strongly edged pale (pale not limited to the tips like on Yellow-olive). Yellow-margined also has a pale patch at the base of the primaries (lacking in Yellow-olive). I've attached a crappy picture of a Yellow-margined I took in Darien earlier this year to help illustrate the differences.

Chris

Chris Benesh said:

Hi Sue,

Your bird looks like a Yellow-olive Flycatcher to me. The Yellow-margined is really similar, but the wing coverts are more strongly edged pale (pale not limited to the tips like on Yellow-olive). Yellow-margined also has a pale patch at the base of the primaries (lacking in Yellow-olive). I've attached a crappy picture of a Yellow-margined I took in Darien earlier this year to help illustrate the differences.

Chris

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Thank-you, Chris! Yes, I can see the edging and clearly see the patch. My field guide did say 'prominent' and I couldn't see it on my bird. I also notice that the YM has a rather red demonic looking eye, surely that can't be missed.
Thanks for helping again.
Sue

SueO said:

I also notice that the YM has a rather red demonic looking eye, surely that can't be missed.

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Hey Sue,

You're welcome. One minor point, the red eye is a photographic artifact (flash). The eye is normally dark brownish-gray in color with the pupil still noticeable. The Yellow-olives in central and eastern Panama also have eyes that are darker than those of Mexico through western Panama, though still slightly paler than those of Yellow-margined.

Chris

Chris Benesh said:

Hey Sue,

You're welcome. One minor point, the red eye is a photographic artifact (flash). Chris

Click to expand...

The eye is normally dark brownish-gray in color with the pupil still noticeable. The Yellow-olives in central and eastern Panama also have eyes that are darker than those of Mexico through western Panama, though still slightly paler than those of Yellow-margined.

I wondered about that when I was searching the net. I saw some YO that had much lighter eyes and I saw what were called YM with quite pale eyes. Thanks again for your help again.