Flycatcher
My neighbor sent me this photo for help with identification. I know it's a Flycatcher, but I am not sure what kind it is. The photo was shot on South Fidalgo Island at the northern end of Puget Sound in Washington State. My best guess is Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) but that is only a guess. Can anyone help identify this Flycatcher? My neighbor and I thank you for your help.
UPDATE: In comments to the post, both Dan McShane and Jill's friend Ian Paulsen have confirmed that this is indeed a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. I also contacted the Seattle Audubon Society and this was their response:
...I believe I agree with you that the photo is of a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. As you know they can be notoriously difficult to i.d., but this one so nicely shows a slight crest, an eye-ring that tapers to the back of the head (or The white eye-ring extends to the back in a teardrop shape. ), and the buffy wing-bars of the juvenile.
Seattle Audubon publishes the great BirdWeb site featuring the birds of Washington State. I use this site a lot for identification and information about the birds I see.
So there you have it. I have gotten into trouble trying to ID birds on my own by leafing through books or searching websites. It's great to get some expert help. My neighbor Dan Codd and I thank everyone for their assistance.
So there you have it. I have gotten into trouble trying to ID birds on my own by leafing through books or searching websites. It's great to get some expert help. My neighbor Dan Codd and I thank everyone for their assistance.
Photo: Dan Codd