Flycatcher family

[Gord]

From Alexandra Bridge. I was very fortunate to have been walking by to see these two guys cuddled together.



Soon, mom or dad showed up with some food. Darn the too slow shutter speed!



Then one of the little guy spotted a small moth fluttering by over my head. He gamely went out after it, and chased it around my head in a clumsy fashion only a baby flycatcher could perform. He didnt catch it but he sure tried!! The one that stayed perched got another meal.



Charming little guy!



These are probably Hammond's Flycatchers but Im not 100% convinced. I did hear one singing further away down the trail. The only other could be Dusky Flycatcher. This bird is very ratty and looks to be in moult which I believe suggests Hammonds. The bill looks a little big and a little pale though. With Veery around, one wonders! Still, Im pretty sure it's a Hammond's.

For anyone interested, here's a few others of the adult.

[butterfly]

Too Cute! Does that one guy have a toupee? ;-)

[Deleted]

Just stirring the pot --

Looking at the photo where the adult (? assuming it's the adult on the left) has the "toupee look," I'm wondering if the bill size, wing length and tail length point more toward Dusky? Shouldn't the "Hammond's look" feature a smaller bill, longer wings and shorter tail? Too bad we can't hear the vocalizations you heard, Gord.

I know I'm playing with fire here, and I could very well be wrong. Let's hear from others with more experience with Empidonax flycatchers.

Whoever they are, I agree they are certainly cute little guys.

Stan

[Gord]

Stan, your comments certainly keeps my eyebrows raised at which this could be. Yes, the adult bird is the ratty one with the fluffed up head feathers (which does not help show head shape). Hehe, toupee. ;D

The habitat was certainly suitable; a clearing with smaller trees and undergrowth. The Hammond's I was hearing in the area were in their typical habitat high up in a conifer. The wings do look a little short and give a longer look to the tail. The beak really does catch the eye being so pale on the bottom (slight black tip?) longer and a bit wide too.

Ah, it's fun to ponder these guys!