Costa Rican Empidonax for ID (1 Viewer)

[pajarito]

This medium-sized Costa Rican Empid was photographed at Arenal Observatory Lodge in February, 2014. Note the apparent lack of any eyering, and fully yellow-orange, moderately wide lower mandible. The yellow appears strong on the mid-breast and under-tail. Not sure whother this is a Tropical Peewee, Western Wood-peewee, or something else. I don't think it's a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher because it has no eye-ring at all. The strong yellow MAY be an artifact of lighting, but I don't think so. Any suggestions? Solutions?

 

[Peter C.]

I'd bet on Tropical Pewee. Both the underparts and the bill look too colourful for either of the migrant species.

I don't think any of the Crican Empidonax sp. look like this, either.

 

[pajarito]

I should have said "Empid", not Empid. I am leaning towards Tropical Peewee, too - although puzzled by the eye-ring/lore thing. There is a tiny fleck of white behind the eye, but that's pretty much it.

 

[dominic.patagonia]

Tropical Pewee for me too, classic head shape. Lores normally paler but thats variable.

 

[pajarito]

I sent the photo to Johan Chaves in Quepos - will be interested in his response.

 

[pajarito]

The concensus (including Johan's response) is "Tropical Peewee". So the thread is mis-named - should be "Costa Rican Contopus for ID".

 

[Birdingcraft]

A bit late to add to this but Yes, Tropical Pewee for me too. Color looks like it might be a bit saturated on the image but wouldn't be as much yellow on Eastern Wood and longer primaries would probably also be visible. Good species to know well, especially the vocalization, as it is a common, confusing species.