Possible Hammond's
Flycatcher (Empidonax hammondii), Jones Beach, Nassau County, New York,
27 October 2001
On Friday 26 October 2001, John and Gerta Fritz discovered
a small empidonax flycatcher near the turn-around at the western end of
Jones Beach State Park, Nassau County, Long Island, New York. Co-observers included
Doug Futuyma and Shai Mitra. After careful study they tentatively identified the
bird as a Hammond's Flycatcher (Empidonax hammondii) - a species not previously
recorded in New York State. The bird was present in the same area this morning
and was studied (and photographed) at length by many local birders. Sadly, it
is thought to have fallen prey to a Merlin later in the afternoon.
Some brief comments on
the identification: The field identification of non-calling empids is notoriously
difficult and care must be taken to eliminate basic-plumaged Least Flycatcher
(E. minimus; an uncommon and poorly known plumage in North America) and
the traditional confusion species Dusky Flycatcher (E. oberholseri).
The broad, crisply marked off-white or buffy wing bars and edges to the tertials
and secondaries indicate a freshly molted bird. This is consistent with Hammond's
Flycatcher which typically undergoes pre-basic molt before migration. [Of course
this would not exclude a prematurely molted individual (e.g. failed breeder)
of another species.] Perhaps the strongest argument against Least Flycatcher
and for Hammond's Flycatcher are the relatively long primaries, evident in the
first four images below.
Comments from experienced
observers with intimate knowledge of this trio would be greatly appreciated.
Although Hammond's Flycatcher has not been recorded in New York before, there
are well-documented records from Massachusetts, Delaware, Rhode Island, Pennsylvannia
and Maryland. For all those fortunate enough to see the Jones Beach bird, descriptions
and photos should be sent to the New
York State Avian Records Committee (NYSARC).
Fig. 1. This image shows the grayish nape contrasting with the greener
mantle.
Fig. 2. The flycatcher often gave a slightly tufted impression, evident
in this shot.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4. Side profile, showing long primaries to good effect.
Fig. 5. Portrait shot! Note that the breast is somewhat over-exposed.
Fig. 6.View of top of the bill.
Fig. 7.View showing underside of the bill. Photo copyright of Andy Guthrie©
2001.
Fig. 8.View showing underside of the bill. Photo copyright of Andy Guthrie©
2001.
Fig. 9.View showing underside of the bill. Photo copyright of Andy Guthrie©
2001.
Fig. 10.Another side view showing length of primaries. Photo copyright
of Andy Guthrie© 2001.
Fig. 11. Photo copyright of Andy Guthrie© 2001.
Notes on the photography:
All shots by Angus Wilson were taken through a Kowa TSN-4 scope (at 20X) using
hand-held a Nikon Coolpix 880 digital camera. Those by Andy Guthrie were taken
with a Nikon Coolpix 995 and Pentax 80 scope. Images were cropped and sharpened
slightly using Adobe Photoshop 5.0.
Additional thoughts, comparative
photos and information would be very welcome.
Here are some useful links provided by Andy Guthrie.
http://www.javaswift.com/floridabirds/Least%20Fly.html
http://ecojb.fiu.edu/Birds/rarities/LeastFC.html
http://www.mdbirds.org/mddcrc/rcskins90.html
http://www.pipeline.com/~rlfreed/lphotos.html
http://www.pipeline.com/~rlfreed/l2photos.html
Images copyright of Angus Wilson and Andy Guthrie. Unauthroized
use is prohibited. Text copyright of Angus Wilson/Ocean Wanderers© 2001.
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