Ethiopia, Awash Park (1 Viewer)

[Yves27]

Hi All,

Do you have an idea of which specie is this bird taken in Awash National Park in Ethiopia in September 2020?

Thanks in advance!
Yves

 

[Butty]

I guess that the species is either African grey flycatcher or pale flycatcher, and the age is immature.

 

[Waxwings]

Why not Spotted Flycatcher?

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Why not Spotted Flycatcher?

Agree, Spotted flycatcher.

 

[Yves27]

Why not Spotted Flycatcher?

Indeed, correspond to the book description.

Thanks!

 

[Butty]

Have you checked immature plumages of African grey flycatcher and pale flycatcher?

 

[sicklebill]

Looks bang on for Spotted Flycatcher to me, and I see no signs of immature plumage

 

[THE_FERN]

Have you checked immature plumages of African grey flycatcher and pale flycatcher?

When I first saw this I got a spotted flycatcher impression. I feel the other 2 have a squatter, rounder feel than this. The long primary projection points that way too (despite the presumed brown staining).

Unfortunately the ebird resources for immature stages of the other 2 aren't great, but what there is is quite different.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Have you checked immature plumages of African grey flycatcher and pale flycatcher?

I think AGF can be ruled out on leg colour, bill shape, primary projection and lack of supercillium, whilst PF can be excluded on bill shape and the density of streaking on the chest. I can't really recall seeing immatures of either species though, I'd have to check my notes.

 

[Butty]

I see no signs of immature plumage

What signs of immature plumage would you be looking for in African grey flycatcher and pale flycatcher?

the ebird resources for immature stages of the other 2 aren't great, but what there is is quite different

Interesting - and obviously the books' depictions of these plumages may well be duff. On the other hand, these are also the types of plumage that might easily be prone to misidentification in photos.
Primary-projection in the OP's bird does, however, look distinctly better for spotted flycatcher than for African grey flycatcher or pale flycatcher - so I'm happy that's what it is.

 

[Yves27]

About immature flycatcher, here is a picture of what I assume is an immature of African Dusky Flycatcher...

 

[MacNara]

About immature flycatcher, here is a picture of what I assume is an immature of African Dusky Flycatcher...

I would go for African Grey for this, because of the primary-secondary contrast in colour and length. But wait for someone who really knows to come along.