Flycatcher Species--Possibly Eastern Wood Pewee?--John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, Philadelphia, PA (1 Viewer)

[anonymousbirder]

Hi,
I saw a flycatcher today at John Heinz Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia, PA. I think it's an Eastern Wood Pewee, but I would appreciate if someone could confirm or deny that. I'm afraid I'm not that great at distinguishing flycatchers. I've seen a pewee before, but I was able to distinguish it by the noise it made, whereas this one didn't make any sound.
This bird was between the size of a sparrow and a robin. According to Merlin, it could be an Acadian flycatcher or a willow flycatcher, too. It was perched by a marsh, but the marsh has wooded areas around it. What makes me lean toward an Eastern wood pewee is that I didn't see the olive-greenish color that Willow and Acadian flycatchers are supposed to have. I know the pictures are a bit blurry. Sorry about that. I have a set of camera binoculars, but sometimes quality is hit or miss. However, if anyone could help me narrow this down, I would be grateful.

 

[KC Foggin]

I believe the orange I see on the beak confirms your thoughts

 

[qwerty5]

I'm conflicted on this one. In some of the pics it looks like a pewee, other photos look more like an Empid. The yellowish belly makes me lean towards empidonax. The last 2 pictures look like there may be an eye-ring, but I can't tell for sure.

 

[anonymousbirder]

I'm conflicted on this one. In some of the pics it looks like a pewee, other photos look more like an Empid. The yellowish belly makes me lean towards empidonax. The last 2 pictures look like there may be an eye-ring, but I can't tell for sure.

I didn't note an eye ring, but I also wasn't looking for one. I'm afraid I don't see many flycatchers, so I didn't think to check. The belly looked white to grayish in the field, but I could be wrong. Thank you for your input!

 

[anonymousbirder]

I believe the orange I see on the beak confirms your thoughts

Thank you!

 

[AveryBartels]

Primary projection (distance wing tips extend beyond rest of wing) seems short for a pewee and the apparently clean whitish underparts (lacking any hints of dusky flanks/breast) are more suggestive of an Empidonax as well. Beyond that, I don't think that there is enough in these photos to confirm Acadian vs Willow although habitat should help. Acadian are more of a forest bird whereas Willow tend to be in more shrubby areas/forest edge, typically near wetlands.

As to the orange on the lower mandible, all three species in question have this so not overly useful.

 

[anonymousbirder]

Primary projection (distance wing tips extend beyond rest of wing) seems short for a pewee and the apparently clean whitish underparts (lacking any hints of dusky flanks/breast) are more suggestive of an Empidonax as well. Beyond that, I don't think that there is enough in these photos to confirm Acadian vs Willow although habitat should help. Acadian are more of a forest bird whereas Willow tend to be in more shrubby areas/forest edge, typically near wetlands.

As to the orange on the lower mandible, all three species in question have this so not overly useful.

Thank you!

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Willow is more commonly posted in eBird. If it was along the impoundment, Willow is the better fit. I don't see the habitat at Tinicum as being typical for Acadian either.

 

[birdmeister]

Willow is more commonly posted in eBird. If it was along the impoundment, Willow is the better fit. I don't see the habitat at Tinicum as being typical for Acadian either.

I think it's Willow too (my first opinion looking at pics), especially given the OP's comment about not seeing greenish coloration, etc.

Worth noting, though, that Acadian is a summer resident along part of the wooded loop trail.

 

[anonymousbirder]

Willow is more commonly posted in eBird. If it was along the impoundment, Willow is the better fit. I don't see the habitat at Tinicum as being typical for Acadian either.

I think it's Willow too (my first opinion looking at pics), especially given the OP's comment about not seeing greenish coloration, etc.

Worth noting, though, that Acadian is a summer resident along part of the wooded loop trail.

Thank you! Judging by your responses, I take it you're both familiar with the refuge. Isn't it beautiful there?

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Thank you! Judging by your responses, I take it you're both familiar with the refuge. Isn't it beautiful there?

A little crowed and noisy for my tastes, but if you're in Philly, it's a great place.

 

[birdmeister]

Thank you! Judging by your responses, I take it you're both familiar with the refuge. Isn't it beautiful there?

A real gem of a refuge. I've been there a few times in July, very hot but worth it.