Arizona Flycatcher

[Russ Chantler]

I shot this little guy yesterday (Feb 22) in Madera Canyon, south of Tucson. My best guess is Hammond's Flycatcher, but I'm far from sure. I've never seen a Hammond's or the other contenders before. Any ID help would be much appreciated.

[Paul Guris]

I'd have to dig through some references, but the elongations of the eye ring behind the eye bothers me a bit. I think this mark is more prevalent on the "Western" (Pacific Slope and Cordilleron) Flycatchers. I think the yellowish is good for that complex too.

Do you have any clear shots of the folded primaries and/or the underside of the bill? Primary extension and bill pattern can be helpful in empidonax flycatchers.

[Russ Chantler]

I'd have to dig through some references, but the elongations of the eye ring behind the eye bothers me a bit. I think this mark is more prevalent on the "Western" (Pacific Slope and Cordilleron) Flycatchers. I think the yellowish is good for that complex too.

Do you have any clear shots of the folded primaries and/or the underside of the bill? Primary extension and bill pattern can be helpful in empidonax flycatchers.

Here's the back side. I hope it helps.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Let me throw out the Dusky Flycatcher as another option. The Hammond's has a larger head (to body size) and the Dusky has a whitish throat and pale olive wash on upper breast.

Also pale lores are more conspicuous on this species.