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Kingbird, but which species (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter oldsquaw
- Start date
prairiemerlin
registered guy
Well, I am no expert on western (not capitalized) Kingbirds, but I think it would be possible this is a worn Western Kingbird at an odd angle.
Looking at that smoothly notched tail has you wondering about Tropical or Couch's, doesn't it? 
It would make me wonder too, but tis the time of year for Western Kingbirds to molt, and they molt their tailfeathers from the inside retrices out, creating a temporarily notched appearance. The more definitive measure can be seen when looking at the lengths of the various primaries. The combination of backlighting and rapidly moving wings makes this tricky to determine, but when I enhance the contrast zones in Paint Shop Pro, P6 looks short relative to P7-9, and possibly P10, though pulling that one out is tricky with this image. These would tend to confirm for Western Kingbird, the only in-range candidate.
Still, that bright white stripe under the eye has me thinking possible molting Cassin's thoughts, which would be far less out of range, though the primaries could still be a problem. That bright white stripe on the face is quite interesting. Do you have other photos that are better for the face, even if they are less good in other ways?
It would make me wonder too, but tis the time of year for Western Kingbirds to molt, and they molt their tailfeathers from the inside retrices out, creating a temporarily notched appearance. The more definitive measure can be seen when looking at the lengths of the various primaries. The combination of backlighting and rapidly moving wings makes this tricky to determine, but when I enhance the contrast zones in Paint Shop Pro, P6 looks short relative to P7-9, and possibly P10, though pulling that one out is tricky with this image. These would tend to confirm for Western Kingbird, the only in-range candidate.
Still, that bright white stripe under the eye has me thinking possible molting Cassin's thoughts, which would be far less out of range, though the primaries could still be a problem. That bright white stripe on the face is quite interesting. Do you have other photos that are better for the face, even if they are less good in other ways?
Larry Lade
Moderator
I realize that you are are "talking" kingbird. The photo of this bird with "apparent" small beak (could be angle of photo) and the plumage characteristics, to my mind, is reminiscent of a Tree Swallow.
Motmot
Eduardo Amengual
Found this thread from last August. Just to add I think this bird could well be a Say´s Phoebe (Sayornis saya). Translucent primaries and secondaries contrasting with darker underwing coverts, greyish breast and throat, smallish bill. The tail looks blackish. Forked tail could be some moult design and the white under the eye I´m not sure if its actual.
The flight feathers in particular look fine for Say´s. What do you guys think?
EDIT: found many pics on the net of Say´s Phoebes with forked tails. Check this one
http://santacruzbirdclub.org/Photos/Shelly/Say's%20Phoebe%202.JPG
The flight feathers in particular look fine for Say´s. What do you guys think?
EDIT: found many pics on the net of Say´s Phoebes with forked tails. Check this one
http://santacruzbirdclub.org/Photos/Shelly/Say's%20Phoebe%202.JPG
Last edited:
Dave B Smith
Well-known member
You can rule out Cassin's Kingbird. They "trail" their legs in flight. This bird has his legs / feet "tucked in".