South Arizona flycatcher or vireo (1 Viewer)

[sirijay]

Took this photo about four weeks - possibly at Ash Canyon. No idea what it is - really appreciate you help with ID
Thank you.

 

[qwerty5]

I'm not familiar with western U.S. birds but since no one else has responded, I'll suggest a (very drab, juvenile?) Hutton's Vireo.

 

[tom baxter]

I'm not familiar with western U.S. birds but since no one else has responded, I'll suggest a (very drab, juvenile?) Hutton's Vireo.

Thats a pretty good guess for me. It definitely appears to be a juvenile vireo sp.

 

[sirijay]

Thank you - thought it was a juvenile, but wasn't sure about species.

 

[Ruff-Leg]

There appears to be break in the top of the eye ring - good for Hutton's. A ratty looking bird at this time of year may be a molting adult. Mightn't a juvie be in fresher plumage? Not sure...

 

[tom baxter]

There appears to be break in the top of the eye ring - good for Hutton's. A ratty looking bird at this time of year may be a molting adult. Mightn't a juvie be in fresher plumage? Not sure...

That is a good point. The lack of wing bars and gray overall color is not normal for an adult Hutton’s, but you bring up a good point that it may be an adult. I wonder if it could be a different species not discussed yet?

 

[qwerty5]

A quick search of Macaulay for juvenile HUVI reveals several with messy plumage similar to this bird (assuming of course the photographers knew what they were looking at). Example.

 

[Tucson Birder]

Looks good for Hutton's Vireo. Definitely has the right bill shape, coloration, proportions and they breed in the area. Wrong color and eye-ring for plumbeous, Bell's would have less of an eye ring and be lighter underneath.