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English and Scientific names: |
Western Wood-Pewee, Contopus sordidulus
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Number of individuals: |
one juvenile in fresh Fall plumage |
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Locality: |
Cameron |
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Specific Locality: |
Peveto Beach Woods |
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Date(s) when observed: |
19 October 2010, 27 October 2010 |
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Time(s) of day when observed: |
ca. 1435 & 1336-1339 |
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Reporting observer and address: |
James W. Beck Broussard, LA 70518 |
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Other observers
accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): |
John Herbert on 19 Oct and Shane Blodgett on 27 Oct |
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Other observers who
independently identified the bird(s) |
Devin Bosler, Dr. Jay Huner, Ph.D. |
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Light conditions
(position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): |
bird was mostly viewed in open
light, perched on snags of Quercus niger and
sallying after prey. |
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Optical equipment: |
Swarovski 10x42 EL binocular |
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Distance to bird(s): |
varying; ca. 50m to as close as
25m. |
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Duration of observation: |
on 19 Oct, ca. 2 minutes. On 27
Oct, ca. 3 minutes. |
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Habitat: |
coastal chenier dominated
primarily by Q. niger
and Celtis laevigata,
but also included Gleditsia triacanthos
and Aralia spinosa
with varying degrees of Toxicodendron radicans and other vines. Understory included Ambrosia trifida, etc. |
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Behavior of bird: |
On 19 Oct, bird responded agitated when I played a
recording of C. sordidulus. Familiar with phonotaxis
behavior, I was not convinced of the bird’s specific identity until it
replied with the burry, albeit whispered song of sordidulus. Bird was performing basic sally-glean
maneuvers from live Q. niger leaves as well as capturing Dipterids in midair. All maneuvers were preceded by
constant visual-searches at all angles by cocking and tilting the head. |
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Description: |
A small, dark olive flycatcher with a slight crest, no eye
ring. Chest and breast dark olive with
a slight, but noticeable amount of yellowish wash from chest to undertail
coverts. Wings dark with weak buffy
edgings to the wingbars. Primary projection long in
comparison with tail, legs dark. Upper mandible dark, lower mandible becoming
light orange towards base. |
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Voice: |
on 19 Oct, bird gave a muttered,
whispered “be-wee” was roughly broadcasted in response to a recording of C. sordidulus. |
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Similar species: |
Eastern Wood-Pewee, C.
virens averages much lighter and showcases
more yellowish wash on the chest and lower belly, voice. Dark Pewee, C. lugubris
by overall lighter contour, voice. |
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Photographs or tape recordings
obtained? |
Yes. Photos submitted by John Herbert and James W. Beck |
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Previous experience with
this species: |
Arizona, west Texas, Mexico |
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Identification aids: |
Pyle, North America, part 1 & Sibley North America |
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This description is written from: |
memory |
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Are you positive of your
identification? If not, explain: |
yes |
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Date and time: |
28 October 2010 Time: 1845 |