Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: Luv2Bird on March 30, 2010, 09:35:25 PM

Title: Maplewood park - today .. ID please
Post by: Luv2Bird on March 30, 2010, 09:35:25 PM

I spotted this guy about 3 - 4 feet off the ground in the bushes at the edge of the park.  He would fly out a few feet, swoop to the ground , but not land , then fly back into the bushes about 10 feet further each time.  Didn't sit still for long.  Is it an Eastern Kingbird by any chance .. seems smaller than that ??
Thanks!!

(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_pVoVsVdNXso/S7KjV-WnXTI/AAAAAAAAEMY/MAAJtV5IGaI/s512/DSC_4437.JPG)
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_pVoVsVdNXso/S7KjjTYNliI/AAAAAAAAEMc/70RyBolUAOA/s512/DSC_4440.JPG)

Title:
Post by: GStuart on March 30, 2010, 09:51:41 PM

The "land on a perch - fly out - land on a perch" routine should have you thinking of the flycatchers.  With no wingbars and no terminal tail band (and the fact that it is still quite early for passerine migration) it will lead you towards Eastern Phoebe.

I bet it wagged its tail, too.

Title: Eastern Phoebe
Post by: Luv2Bird on March 31, 2010, 12:14:05 PM

Hi GStuart ..
Thanks very much -- this is a life bird for me ... still quite new to birding.  Yes it's behaviour was a clue that it might be some sort of flycatcher.  I knew it was not a Mockingbird.  I looked through all the pictures in my field guide but did not find any that looked quite like my photo.  Thanks again .. Sue

Title:
Post by: Vince on March 31, 2010, 01:22:38 PM

Nice one. It pays to have the camera handy