Empidonax in Quebec city (1 Viewer)

Widus

Well-known member

• Jul 16, 2018

• #1

Hi there,
These three different Empidonax flycatchers* were photographed May 24 in Quebec city. What can be said about them? My feeling is that the first may be a different species than the last two.

*Well, at least photographed at different locations and moments

 

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  Empidonax sp 001 - 2018.05.23 Quebec City (Québec) Canada.jpg

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  Empidonax sp 002 - 2018.05.24 Quebec City (Québec) Canada.jpg

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  Empidonax sp 003 - 2018.05.24 Quebec City (Québec) Canada.jpg

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The Bird Nuts

Birding Duo

• Jul 16, 2018

• #2

All look like Leasts to me.

 

Widus

Well-known member

• Jul 17, 2018

• #3

Thanks. The color tones on the back (e.g. olive versus greyish) are therefore not to be considered when identifying these flycatchers.

 

The Bird Nuts

Birding Duo

• Jul 17, 2018

• #4

The color should be considered, but only along with other ID marks as the lighting can affect that. In this case, I feel the primaries on the first bird are not long enough for Yellow-bellied, but I could be wrong. A photo showing the throat might help.

 

Widus

Well-known member

• Jul 19, 2018

• #5

The Bird Nuts said:

A photo showing the throat might help.

Click to expand...

I don't have a photo of the first bird that would show the throat well. This one is the best I have to assess the throat.

 

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  DSCN2726.jpg

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TLeukering

Well-known member

• Jul 19, 2018

• #6

Lighting should always be considered. The first pic is in bright, open sunlight, while the other pix are of birds in diffuse lighting. This difference can certainly account for the different color tones of the birds. The lack of yellow on the underparts of the bird(s) should rule out Yellow-bellied, and the short primary projections apparent on all rule out anything else expected in Quebec.