sbruenjes Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 I saw these birds in a nature preserve in Essex County, NJ a few days ago. I got some great pics, but these were not so good...Is it still possible to ID these birds despite that? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 #1 lloks lije a Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 The first is actually an Olive-sided Flycatcher, notice the thick bill and strong contrast between dark/light on the belly. The second is a female American Redstart, and the last is an empid. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeke VanZante Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 I see some sort of flycatcher and a female American redstart. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 1 hour ago, Benjamin said: The first is actually an Olive-sided Flycatcher, notice the thick bill and strong contrast between dark/light on the belly. The second is a female American Redstart, and the last is an empid. Agree with this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbvol50 Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 1 hour ago, Benjamin said: The first is actually an Olive-sided Flycatcher, notice the thick bill and strong contrast between dark/light on the belly. The second is a female American Redstart, and the last is an empid. Agree 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexHenry Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 I agree w/ Olive-sided Flycatcher for the first. The large bill suggests flycatcher, the tail is too short for Eastern Kingbird, the primaries long (suggesting contopus), and you can even see a bit of the white patch on the flank they sometimes show. Any thoughts on the empid? I'm not sure. Not sure if its IDable with that photo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akandula Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 (edited) I like Traill's (Willow/Alder) for the empid. Edited May 18, 2020 by akandula 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbruenjes Posted May 18, 2020 Author Share Posted May 18, 2020 I am so impressed that you could ID the first bird, and if it really is the Olive-sided Flycatcher, then that would be a first for me! I definitely see the American Redstart now... and if the third one can't be identified... well that's what I expected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 In the field, take note of where these flycatchers are perching, because that can usually tip you off to what species you might be looking at. Very small, flitting around in shrubs or in trees like a warbler? Probably an empid. Large, bright, long-tailed and in shrubs or trees? It's a myiarchus flycatcher. Large, grayish brown flycatcher perched very prominently on isolated snags and at the tops of dead trees? Almost certainly an Olive-sided Flycatcher. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbruenjes Posted May 19, 2020 Author Share Posted May 19, 2020 I adjusted the lighting for the pics.. does this help with the ID's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Cochrane Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 (edited) The First bird is definitely Olive Sided. The second bird is either Least or Yellow-bellied. I’m not sure which one, but from this angle there doesn't seem to be a lot of contrast in the throat region, which makes me lean towards Yellow-bellied. Edited May 19, 2020 by Connor Cochrane 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 I don't think the Empid is green enough for a Yellow-bellied. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 (edited) 5 hours ago, The Bird Nuts said: I don't think the Empid is green enough for a Yellow-bellied. I agree. Akandula, what makes you think traills? This looks pretty good for least imo Edited May 19, 2020 by Benjamin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phalarope713 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 I'm thinking Least as well. Eyering looks very prominent and bold, even for an Alder's. Also, I'd expect Traill's to have a more contrasting white throat and longer primary projection. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akandula Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 57 minutes ago, Benjamin said: Akandula, what makes you think traills? This looks pretty good for least imo The dark photo was playing tricks on me. I can easily see Least now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jefferson Shank Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Agreed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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