ID Verification

[Steve Canuel]

I posted this in the Avian forum as a Western Kingbird. Another member seems to think it may be something else and requested I post it here. Habitat is wide open prairie, south central Colorado, east of the Rockies. Captured in June.

[James Prudente]

Steve,

Do you have any images of this bird showing the tail in good light. If the outer tail feathers have narrow white edges it is a Western. If the tail has a pale tip it is a Cassin's. If you hear it call you will be able to easily distinguish which species you are dealing with.

Jim

[Dan Brown]

IMO, the bill size here rules out Tropical or Couch's. The yellow extending into the upper breast and the tone of gray on the head seem to fit Western and not Cassin's. Cassin's and Western both breed in eastern Colorado. But, without seeing the outer tail feathers, it's a hard call!

I would label it Western if it were in my files:),

[Steve Canuel]

Thanks for weighing in. I don't have any views of the tail, he flew away after 3 shots. I'll have to take better note of the tail feathers next time I see one.

[Matthew Pontiff]

It's a Western. The breast is light gray which eliminates Tropical/Couch's (yellowish-gray) and Cassin's (dark gray with well defined white malar stripe). The tail is rather ratty and I encourage extreme caution when using it as an ID aid in such a condition. Depending on wear and lighting, the other species can appear to have white outer retrices when in fact they do not and a Western's white retrices can be worn away.

Matt

[Steve Canuel]

It's a Western. The breast is light gray which eliminates Tropical/Couch's (yellowish-gray) and Cassin's (dark gray with well defined white malar stripe). The tail is rather ratty and I encourage extreme caution when using it as an ID aid in such a condition. Depending on wear and lighting, the other species can appear to have white outer retrices when in fact they do not and a Western's white retrices can be worn away.

Matt

Thanks Matt.