Flycatcher, Northern Seward Peninsula, AK (1 Viewer)

[shishmarefbirder]

Found this guy outside my house yesterday in Shishmaref, AK. The only flycatcher I have documented was an Olive-sided Flycatcher although Say's Phoebee, Alder Flycathcer and Western Wood Pewee are also possibilities. The call wasn't an Olive-sided Flycatcher.

 

[RJP]

Looks like the Wood-Pewee with those long wings.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

I agree.

 

[Peter C.]

Looks like the Wood-Pewee with those long wings.

...and dark u/t coverts...

Odd situation for one!

 

[Larry Lade]

Western Wood-Pewee is what I was thinking too with that long PP (primary projection) and weak (barely discernible eye ring) and what others have alluded to.

 

[The Falcon]

Agree with the others on the ID.

 

[shishmarefbirder]

Can anyone tell me the difference between Western and Eastern Wood-Pewee? Or are the points that have been covered the difference makers?

 

[Jim M.]

Can anyone tell me the difference between Western and Eastern Wood-Pewee? Or are the points that have been covered the difference makers?

To quote Sibley regarding Western Wood-Pewee, "appearance essentially identical to Eastern." I don't believe you could reliably distinguish the two based on this photo alone. I expect Larry mentioned Western Wood-Pewee just based on range – though I believe there have been some records of Eastern Wood-Pewee in Alaska, so while I expect Western is more likely, Eastern is not out of the question. Best way to distinguish them is voice.

Jim

 

[Larry Lade]

Yes I was going on range for the ID. I believe the voice is the most used characteristic for determining which species it is.

 

[shishmarefbirder]

Yeah, I had to ask due to a sighting south of here on the west coast that is believed to be an Eastern WP.

 

[BIRDseeN]

The jizz alone looks like a wood pewee. No eye ring and that slightly peak headed look, with what appear to be dark under tail coverts and the hint of a vest on a brightish exposure of the image