Empid and Sparrow -Michigan (1 Viewer)

[Rapala]

The first photo of an empid was taken near the shore of Lake Superior in dense undergrowth. I believe it is a Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher, but I do not trust myself on empids. To me they all look alike .

My second photo is possibly one of the worst I have yet to post, but this secretive sparrow was distant and elusive. The photo was taken in a grassy marsh several days ago. Unfortunately this was the only photo I was able to take of the bird because it flew only short distances beforedropping down into cover. To me it appears to be a grasshopper sparrow but I am still hoping for it to somehow be a Le Conte's Sparrow, the goal bird of the outing. Unfortunately no Le Conte's were heard or seen that day (and I understand seeing one is a very difficult thing to do).

Thanks

 

[RJP]

It seems to me that the empid doesn't have enough eye ring for a Yellow-bellied. It looks closer to an Alder (oops - Willow is pretty much out of range) to me.

Can't be firm on the sparrow either, but it certainly does not look like the face of a LeConte's. Something darker, possibly a Savannah.

 

[ovenbird43]

I'm not touching the Empid, though I agree that the eye ring doesn't seem strong enough for Yellow-bellied.

The second looks like a young Song Sparrow.

 

[Rapala]

Thank you both for the replies. RJP, I cannot see the empid being an Alder Flycatcher primarily because the habitat was far too dry for an Alder. The empid was seen in a small stand of spruces amid a Jack Pine plain. Can the eye ring be somewhat variable (see this picture)? Of course, the photo I took is not great either.

Thanks for the thoughts on the sparrow, it's likely that it was a young Song/Savannah as there were many more around.

 

[RJP]

RJP, I cannot see the empid being an Alder Flycatcher primarily because the habitat was far too dry for an Alder. The empid was seen in a small stand of spruces amid a Jack Pine plain. Can the eye ring be somewhat variable (see this picture)?

Yes, the eye ring can be variable. IDing empids is a risky venture, and I certainly could be wrong. If it really isn't an Alder, and Willow is out of range, then Yellow-bellied is really a contender.

 

[Tiraya]

I don't know to separate Acadian and alder on that Empid.

The sparrow has the chunkiness of a song, but seeing other details like tail length would help.

 

[RJP]

I don't know to separate Acadian and alder on that Empid.

This is out of the normal range of Acadian (south edge of Lake Superior), so that one is a long shot.

 

[AdrianB70]

I'd call that a yellow-bellied flycatcher, despite the lack of the eyering. It's got yellowish throat and belly, short primaries, and it's in perfect habitat.

I can't really help on the sparrow without more photos, but it looks okay to me for a song sparrow, perhaps a young bird.