These pictures were taken at various times in various places around the United States. All 6 birds pictured (maybe 6 different species, maybe not) do occur in Utah annually. This is just for fun so feel free to take a stab and maybe talk about why you assigned an ID to a certain bird. Empidonax Flycatchers are a tough group of birds and we could all use a little discussion to improve our ID skills!
Click on the image for a slightly larger version.
The hardest part about a visual headshot quiz is that there is no habitat, no song, and no primary projection to help in the ID--all we have is apparent head shape, bill, size, and color, eye-ring, etc.
I will post a full recap on the birds, where they were photographed, etc in a couple days. If you can't wait, all the photos are posted on my website--but please don't post answers if you go there and look first!
Good Luck!
Labels: flycatchers, id challenge, identification, Quiz
8 Comments:
Oh, and if you're nto sure of one or two that's alright just to put empid sp., this isn't supposed to be too easy :)
I'll take a stab at it. These are all from my gut.
1. 'hellifino' Gray???
2. Dusky
3. Cordilleran
4. Hammond's
5. 'hellifino'
6. Willow?
2/4 look interchangeable. Yup, empids are tough. That's all I got. Thanks for the quiz and ID help. I'm starting to wonder if I got my Hammond's and Dusky's bassackwards. When it comes to flycatchers, I'll defer to the experts.
I hate getting things wrong so I am doing this anonymously.
1. Gray
2. Dusky
3. Cordilleran
4. Least?
5. Hammond's?
6. Willow?
Hey Anyonymous, there's no shame it getting it wrong... especially head shots of flycatchers. I've abstained from looking these up, so I can't wait to find out what they are.
Alright I'll take a stab at this one:
1. Gray
2. Dusky
3. Cordilleran
4. Least
5. Least
6. Willow
Nice Job Everyone! I don't think it's any surprise that everyone nailed the top 3 which are the 3 most common and widespread Empidonax Flycatcher's Found in Utah. Eveyone also got the 6th one which is the 4th most common Utah Empid--being a Willow. As for 4 and 5 everyone was ballpark and/or correct. #4 is a Hammond's Flycatcher with that itty-bitty, teeny-tiny little bill. #5 is a Least Flycatcher with a short--but STOUT bill--along with the drab olive-brown coloration.
Given good views the majority of empids can be identified in Utah by a combination of habitat, and the field marks visible in these pictures. Obviously, other characteristics, like the tail flick of a Gray Flycatcher, and the primary length on the various species can all be used and helpful too.
Now, I chose these pictures because I felt they were pretty average looking individuals--like something you would see in a field guide. There are always going to be extremes and variations within any species that can make ID'ing said species harder. Take into account migrant traps where all 6 species can be found together, and moulting bird, or birds not singing and it can make it all the more difficult.
In Advanced Birding Kenn Kaufmann made a comment to the effect of he felt comfortable ID'ing something like 80% (don't quote me on this) of empids just off field marks alone. I would guess that number is higher, and at least in the summer in Utah you could probably get closer to 99 or 100% based off a combination of habitat and field marks--as long as you get good looks at the birds.
Thanks for everyone playing along!
Wow, I shoulda guessed Least. I just saw a bunch of them in Colorado recently. They were a bit late, but fun birds to see.
Nice quiz. 5/6 - I did much better than my inner confidence said I would. Thanks for the challenge. There's no shame in getting it right either!
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