[lassa8]

I was going through my photos today and this one was labeled "Unknown Bird" so I thought I'd post it on here and see if anyone could make any suggestions. (sorry for the small size...this is the only photo I have)

This bird was photographed in early August on the CIMMYT campus just a bit north of Mexico City, Mexico (I think it's closest to Texcoco, actually). I saw the bird near the apartments and dorms, but the surrounding area was mostly fields of maize and wheat.

[Nutcracker]

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (with the tail hidden)

[Steve Lister]

Originally Posted by lassa8

I was going through my photos today and this one was labeled "Unknown Bird" so I thought I'd post it on here and see if anyone could make any suggestions. (sorry for the small size...this is the only photo I have)

This bird was photographed in early August on the CIMMYT campus just a bit north of Mexico City, Mexico (I think it's closest to Texcoco, actually). I saw the bird near the apartments and dorms, but the surrounding area was mostly fields of maize and wheat.

My first thought was Tropical Mockingbird; is that possible there?

Steve

[TexasFlyway]

Looks like a Northern Mockingbird.

[lassa8]

I just found my photo notes from the trip and I described this photo as a "possibly a flycatcher of some sort. female vermillion? reddish-yellow belly. check later"

[sclateria]

I have to agree with Nutcracker. This looks like a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus, with the tail obscured. The light gray head with black lores, the reddish-yellow on the belly and the whitish edging on the wing coverts all indicate this species, perhaps a young bird.

An interesting shot since the tail is not visible!

Brad

[Hal]

Concur with Nutcracker & Brad for the stated reasons. Scissor-tailed is the only species in Mexico with that a head that white, & pink showing on the underparts. This photo does seem to have more yellow on the belly than would be expected, but that could well be caused by a photographic anomaly, ie. lighting, camera, film, developing, etc.

Hal

[Dave B Smith]

Agree with the Scissor-tailed. Early August is sooner than I´ve seen them there but quite possible.

[Merlin50]

Originally Posted by Dave B Smith

Early August is sooner than I´ve seen them there but quite possible.

Looks very suspiciously like a juvi Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

If they can show up in Canada in August. I figure they can appear near Mexico City at the same time (a lot closer to the breeding grounds).

Cheerio

[lassa8]

Ah, you guys are making me sad! A scissor-tailed would be a lifer for me. I'm torn as to whether I'll count it or not. On one hand, I obviously saw the bird if I photographed it, but on the other hand I don't know if I want to count a lifer based on this photo, especially since about 4 months have elapsed and I only have faint memories of even taking the photo....

[Merlin50]

"Ah...to tick, or not to tick...that is the question"

I'm sure you'll see more of them as time goes on.
Maybe next time, a full adult - one of my absolute favourites!

Cheerio

[Nutcracker]

Could it be a one-year old non-breeding immature that didn't migrate all the way north to the breeding grounds? (I don't know if they breed when one year old or wait until they're two)

Scissor-taileds are common in MO, at least the south of the state, so you should be able to get some next summer if you don't want to count this one