Katelyn Davis Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 So I saw this bird today in Lewiston, NY. I switched my ID so many times on it so I thought I would just see if anyone could tell here from my (pretty bad) pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 I could see it as a mockingbird, but my first impression was honestly a kingbird of some sort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 No, I guess it’s a mockingbird. Bill looks awfully thick in the first photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katelyn Davis Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 4 minutes ago, blackburnian said: I could see it as a mockingbird, but my first impression was honestly a kingbird of some sort. The only Kingbird around here is Eastern Kingbird and I did consider that but it wasn't nearly dark enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 Maybe a description of its behavior and habitat would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katelyn Davis Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 2 minutes ago, The Bird Nuts said: Maybe a description of its behavior and habitat would help. It was mostly just jumping from branch to branch. The area was a big field like area very open in the sun. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katelyn Davis Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 another thing I noticed as I'm researching this... the tail doesn't seem right for Mockingbird or Kingbird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katelyn Davis Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 I'm currently looking at pictures of western kingbird. There was Yellow on the underside of the bird I saw like in the pictures of Western Kingbird I am seeing. It is just not possible because of the range though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 1 minute ago, Katelyn Davis said: I'm currently looking at pictures of western kingbird. There was Yellow on the underside of the bird I saw like in the pictures of Western Kingbird I am seeing. It is just not possible because of the range though. It is possible...There was one in Vermont just a few days ago. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 My guess would be Mockingbird. I have seen them primarily in fields, and urban seaside. The only other thing the black mask reminds me of is a Northern Shrike, but I think that would be a bit of a stretch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katelyn Davis Posted June 22, 2020 Author Share Posted June 22, 2020 42 minutes ago, The Bird Nuts said: It is possible...There was one in Vermont just a few days ago. Someone suggested Great-Crested Flycatcher to me. I did see a few Great-crested Flycatchers today but I'm sure this wasn't one. I'm still leaning towards Western Kingbird but I won't put it in eBird because these pictures are definitely not enough evidence lol. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Yeah, you might want to try to find it again! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Just to be clear, when I said kingbird, I was indeed thinking about one of the yellow-bellied sp. Looking at the bird on a bigger screen now, I’m changing my vote to that. Although Western is a far more common eastern vagrant, I can barely make out a rather distinct white cheek patch, which would indicate Cassin’s, a much better bird. These photos aren’t good enough to confirm that, but this bird clearly has a yellow belly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Cochrane Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 3 hours ago, blackburnian said: Just to be clear, when I said kingbird, I was indeed thinking about one of the yellow-bellied sp. Looking at the bird on a bigger screen now, I’m changing my vote to that. Although Western is a far more common eastern vagrant, I can barely make out a rather distinct white cheek patch, which would indicate Cassin’s, a much better bird. These photos aren’t good enough to confirm that, but this bird clearly has a yellow belly. I agree. This is definitely a Flycatcher, you can just tell by the way it’s perched, Abe the Bill shape. I’m going to agree with any Yellow bellied Kingbird, but I can’t ID to species with the photos 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jefferson Shank Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Not a mockingbird. Shape, the way it is perched, and the bill shape says flycatcher sp. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelodger14 Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 still leaning to Great-crested Flycatcher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devin Carrinton Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 I have a hard time leaning to great crested due to the head shape. Mockingbird is possible, the angle could be making the bill look thicker than it is. It could however be a Western Kingbird if there was one in Vermont. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katelyn Davis Posted June 22, 2020 Author Share Posted June 22, 2020 6 hours ago, blackburnian said: Just to be clear, when I said kingbird, I was indeed thinking about one of the yellow-bellied sp. Looking at the bird on a bigger screen now, I’m changing my vote to that. Although Western is a far more common eastern vagrant, I can barely make out a rather distinct white cheek patch, which would indicate Cassin’s, a much better bird. These photos aren’t good enough to confirm that, but this bird clearly has a yellow belly. So when I was observing this bird my very initial thought was Yellow-Breasted Chat (It obviously isn't one but I had that stuck in my head from reading it on the sign on the way into the conservation area). The reason I thought this however was because of a white line near the eye which I can see is present in Cassin's. I do think the chest is wrong for Cassin's though because (you can't see in the pictures) but it was whiter on the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katelyn Davis Posted June 22, 2020 Author Share Posted June 22, 2020 1 hour ago, thelodger14 said: still leaning to Great-crested Flycatcher I really don't think it was. I saw some Great-crested flycatchers the same day and I've seen them on other occasions. This bird seemed too big and there was no reddish-brown on the tail or wing like in Great-crested. The eye placement doesn't seem right either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 It’s not Great Crested or a chat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katelyn Davis Posted June 22, 2020 Author Share Posted June 22, 2020 1 minute ago, blackburnian said: It’s not Great Crested or a chat. I know it's not a chat it was just the coloration that reminded me of one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katelyn Davis Posted June 22, 2020 Author Share Posted June 22, 2020 I think I will probably just have to accept that I'm not going to know an ID for this bird. I wish I had been able to get better pictures but I know these aren't sufficient enough evidence for any species so I won't report it in eBird. The only thing I would consider putting in would be yellow-bellied kingbird sp. but i don't really want to report something I am not sure on. Hopefully either I or someone else will be able to look for it again soon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 1 hour ago, Katelyn Davis said: I think I will probably just have to accept that I'm not going to know an ID for this bird. I wish I had been able to get better pictures but I know these aren't sufficient enough evidence for any species so I won't report it in eBird. The only thing I would consider putting in would be yellow-bellied kingbird sp. but i don't really want to report something I am not sure on. Hopefully either I or someone else will be able to look for it again soon. eBird is designed to encourage you to report things you are not sure one. That’s why there are reviewers. I would submit as yellow-bellied kingbird sp and see what the reviewer says. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katelyn Davis Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 Don't know if anyone cares, but this was accepted in eBird as yellow-bellied kingbird sp. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted July 1, 2020 Share Posted July 1, 2020 Nice find. Such a bummer it didn't allow you to get better pictures. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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