august passerine

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Posted by Andy Kratter (128.227.186.126) on September 02, 2001 at 10:44:07:

I think this bird is a phainopepla, probably a first- or second-year male in Supplemental Plumage (see description in Pyle for this plumage that is found in silky-flycatchers and some other passerines).

The black plumage, long tail short wide bill and habitat are certainly right for a Phainopepla. A male phainopela in this plumage, which occurs between July and September, should have a mix of worn grayish juveile plumage and black male plumage. Becuase the juv feathers look so worn in this image, I think they might be feathers that are > 1 year old. If the bird has retained juv crown feathers (or they are molting in) then the appearance of the crest may be lost.

On the second set of photos, the top of the bill can be seen, and it looks like the round nares have a raised covering, which is typical of phainopelas. Tyrannids have indistinct small nares without the raised covering. The bill lacks a hook of empis and the legs and toes look a bit too heavy for an empi or phoebe as well.

Andy Kratter

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: I think this bird is a phainopepla, probably a first- or second-year male in Supplemental Plumage (see description in Pyle for this plumage that is found in silky-flycatchers and some other passerines). : The black plumage, long tail short wide bill and habitat are certainly right for a Phainopepla. A male phainopela in this plumage, which occurs between July and September, should have a mix of worn grayish juveile plumage and black male plumage. Becuase the juv feathers look so worn in this image, I think they might be feathers that are > 1 year old. If the bird has retained juv crown feathers (or they are molting in) then the appearance of the crest may be lost. : On the second set of photos, the top of the bill can be seen, and it looks like the round nares have a raised covering, which is typical of phainopelas. Tyrannids have indistinct small nares without the raised covering. The bill lacks a hook of empis and the legs and toes look a bit too heavy for an empi or phoebe as well. : Andy Kratter :

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