Post by Gord on Jun 1, 2022 22:18:15 GMT -8
A little play on 'Little Brown Jobs (LBJ)' that refer to the sparrows that can also pose some identification challenges, 'Little Greenish Monsters (LGM)' is a suitable handle for the flycatchers who are even more challenging. Anyone want to make up an phrase for gulls? 
Western Wood Pewee are back in good numbers. Their size, dark faces etc helps separate them from the brighter Dusky, Hammond's and Pacific-slope Flycatchers. Pewees have really long wings and tend to sit out more in the open than the flycatchers do. But there's overlap on that. Another helpful clue is that Pewees don't flick their tails around like the flycatchers tend to do.
Western Wood Pewee
_0222339 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos
/193238091@N05/]Geordie LaForge[/url], on Flickr
Late May is when Willow Flycatcher often show up. Of the flycatchers, they are the closest to pewees given their basic lack of white eye ring, good-sized bill and slightly larger body size. Look for whiter throat, shorter primary extention, wide pale bill and overall more colourful look
019_9125 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
019_9298 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
_0130852 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
For fun, a few of the other flycatchers that have slight variance to their level of colorfulness (greens)
Hammond's
Image3 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Dusky
_0222374 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Pacific-slope (these guys have a slight yellow cast to the green)
Image7 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Olive-sided Flycatcher is related to Pewees but is a big bird. But, by itself size not always a solid clue. This guy, like Pewees, also likes open perches to hunt from and likes to return to the same perch after grabbing an insect. Look for an even larger and wider bill, a big head and a strong vest set off by a white belly that starts at the throat. Their wings are also long but their tail shorter so they often look quite short-tailed.
Image6 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
At the end of all this, getting to know each one's songs and calls goes a long ways. A fun challenge to undertake!
Western Wood Pewee are back in good numbers. Their size, dark faces etc helps separate them from the brighter Dusky, Hammond's and Pacific-slope Flycatchers. Pewees have really long wings and tend to sit out more in the open than the flycatchers do. But there's overlap on that. Another helpful clue is that Pewees don't flick their tails around like the flycatchers tend to do.
Western Wood Pewee
_0222339 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/193238091@N05/]Geordie LaForge[/url], on Flickr
Late May is when Willow Flycatcher often show up. Of the flycatchers, they are the closest to pewees given their basic lack of white eye ring, good-sized bill and slightly larger body size. Look for whiter throat, shorter primary extention, wide pale bill and overall more colourful look
019_9125 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr019_9298 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr_0130852 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrFor fun, a few of the other flycatchers that have slight variance to their level of colorfulness (greens)
Hammond's
Image3 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrDusky
_0222374 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrPacific-slope (these guys have a slight yellow cast to the green)
Image7 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrOlive-sided Flycatcher is related to Pewees but is a big bird. But, by itself size not always a solid clue. This guy, like Pewees, also likes open perches to hunt from and likes to return to the same perch after grabbing an insect. Look for an even larger and wider bill, a big head and a strong vest set off by a white belly that starts at the throat. Their wings are also long but their tail shorter so they often look quite short-tailed.
Image6 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrAt the end of all this, getting to know each one's songs and calls goes a long ways. A fun challenge to undertake!