|
English
and Scientific names: |
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Myiodynastes
luteiventris
|
|
Number
of individuals: |
1, probably juvenile |
|
Locality:
LOUISIANA: |
Cameron |
|
Specific
Locality: |
"Secret Place" woods, 3.8 km WSW Johnson Bayou school |
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Date(s)
when observed: |
10 September 2006 |
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Time(s)
of day when observed: |
16:30-16:35 CST |
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Reporting
observer and address: |
Robert C. Dobbs Lafayette, LA |
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Other observers
accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): |
|
|
Other observers who
independently identified the bird(s) |
|
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Light conditions
(position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): |
bright afternoon light, without glare |
|
Optical
equipment: |
Swarovski 8x30 binos |
|
Distance
to bird(s): |
8-9 m |
|
Duration
of observation: |
5 min |
|
Habitat:
|
hackberry/acacia-dominated chenier woodland |
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Behavior
of bird: |
Bird was perched in leafless canopy branches of hackberry tree for 5 min, then made 4-5 m flight to similar perch, where it stayed only briefly before making a long flight to east over canopy; bird was apparently resting, and did not attempt to forage; did not vocalize or interact with any other birds. Despite further searching that day, the following morning, and on subsequent days, I never found the bird again. |
|
Description: |
The bird was about the size of a Great Crested Flycatcher. Bill was heavy, rather long, and black, except for a small flesh-colored spot at the base of the mandible. The head showed a distinctive pattern, having a whitish supercilium and a whitish moustache, bordered by a black band through the eye and a heavy, thick black malar stripe. The breast was whitish; the belly, sides, and flanks were pale yellow. Blackish, rather fine streaking covered the breast and extended down onto the flanks (not on the belly). Tail was rufous from below, when folded (perched) and partially spread during flight. The wing coverts were brownish, but edged rufous, suggesting a juvenile bird. |
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Voice: |
Bird did not vocalize. |
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Similar species: |
Variegated and Piratic flycatchers were eliminated by their much smaller bills. Streaked Flycatcher was eliminated based on the following characteristics, which were observed in the field: (1) Bold and thick black malar stripe; malar stripe is thinner and less bold in Streaked Flycatcher. (2) Small, relatively inconspicuous, flesh-colored spot at base of mandible; this character is larger and more conspicuous in Streaked Flycatcher; (3) Yellow belly; belly is whitish in Streaked Flycatcher. (4) Whitish supercilium; supercilium should show yellowish tones in Streaked Flycatcher. |
|
Photographs or tape
recordings obtained? |
Photos/recordings were not obtained. |
|
Previous experience with
this species: |
I have experience with this species in Louisiana (9 September 2004), Arizona and Mexico. Further, I have extensive experience with superficially similar tropical species (Variegated, Piratic, and Streaked flycatchers) from Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina. |
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Identification
aids: |
at time of observation: Sibley Guide, 30 min after the observation after observation: Howell and Webb (1995) A guide to the birds of Mexico and
northern Central America |
|
This
description is written from: |
Notes taken in the field, at time of observation. |
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Are you positive of your
identification? If not, explain: |
Yes |
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Reporter:
|
Robert C. Dobbs
|
|
Date
and time: |
11:50, 14 October 2006 |