Which flycatcher? Ottawa, ON (1 Viewer)

[Gillian_M]

I never realized how completely dependent I am on hearing a flycatcher's voice to identify it until today! This guy was preening happily and didn't utter a single sound. My best guess is E. Wood-pewee, which, now that I think about it, I don't often get excellent looks at since it spends so much time in the forest canopy!

Any thoughts?

 

[Motmot]

It's an Eastern Phoebe

 

[spacepilot]

Looks like an Eastern Phoebe to me too. Eastern Phoebes dip or wag their tails almost constantly when they are perched. This is an important field mark.

 

[Jim M.]

Juvenile Eastern Phoebe. Note buffy, indistinct wing bars, long tail, dark bill.

Best,
Jim

 

[Gillian_M]

Thanks for the responses. The head didn't look dark enough to me for a phoebe, and it wasn't flicking its tail at all (however, it was preening at the time, so it may have been distracted).

Thanks again!