English and Scientific names:

Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii

Number of individuals: 

2 individuals, presumed mated pair

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Caddo Parish

Specific Locality:

Viking Drive

Date(s) when observed:

17 May 2008

Time(s) of day when observed:  

0830-1045

Reporting observer and address:

James W. Beck

Broussard, LA

Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

 

Danny Dobbs, Terry Davis, Nancy Newfield, John Sevenair,
Marty Guidry & Kevin Morgan

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

Devin & Justin Eby-Bosler

Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

varying;observed in direct sunlight, backlit,
obscured by sun and shade, also viewed from below

Optical equipment: 

Swarovski 10x42 ELs

Distance to bird(s): 

again, varying; ca. 6-15 meters

Duration of observation:

on and off for a little over two hours

Habitat: 

planted wheat field with roadside ditches, stands of young
growth rough-leaf dogwood (perhaps others I didn't pay attention to...) along the road, small amount of standing water.

Behavior of bird: 

birds appeared to be establishing territory,
actively calling back and forth to each other, as well as a vocal pair of Alder Flycatchers moving through.  birds were also actively foraging in both tree tops as well as in the wheat fields.

Description:

small Empidonax flycatchers, light from throat to belly,
head, mantle brownish green with two light wingbars. undertail coverts yellowish, tail dark. no eye ring noted.

Voice:

a raspy, two-noted "feetz-bew"

Similar species:

Alder Flycatcher  - we had both species singing at
the same time, songs were easily distinguished from each other. we did not attempt any morphological separation.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

I obtained two photographs
with my Kodak Z712 IS digital camera

Previous experience with this species: 

one singing individual in Madison Parish, 2006
Identification aids: at time of observation:

Identification aids:

at time of observation:
=Terry Davis initially pointed out the whereabouts of the singing birds

This description is written from: 

memory/photos

Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain: 

 

yes

Reporter: 

James W. Beck

Date and time: 

20 May 08, 1732