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Thursday, September 8, 2011

Empidonax ID challenge

Earlier this week Kelly Bryan photographed several empidonax flycatchers at my oasis. Yesterday he emailed the photos to me in the form of a quiz. It was so much fun trying to figure out which were which that I thought some of you Texbirders would like to try your hand at it. So, with Kelly's permission, here are 8 photos (taken by Kelly) of 4 individuals of 3 species.  Even knowing which 3 species were involved in the quiz, I only guessed one correctly. Click any photo to enlarge.

Empid 1A
Empid 1B
Empid 2A
Empid 2B
Empid 3A
                    
Empid 3B
Empid 4A
Empid 4B

This is just for fun and maybe a learning experience. I know it's about as tough a challenge as birding can offer, and very few of you will even attempt it.





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11 comments:

  1. lulubelleSeptember 8, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    Hi Carolyn! I am so glad to read that you are feeling better. You are working so hard to maintain your oasis and in this heat, that is a gargantuan task.

    I am intrigued by your quiz and am going to give them a shot - 1 at a time! I am sure I will be quite embarrassed, but hey - it is a learning experience!

    So I am assuming that each numbered bird is the same, as in bird 1a 1b are the same bird? So I am guessing Hammond's Flycatcher for bird 1a & b. Will post again as I peruse the others!!!

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  2. Carolyn Ohl-JohnsonSeptember 8, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Good for you, Laura. That first bird (1A & 1B) is indeed a Hammond's. That's the only one I got right. Clue on the other 3 birds: Kelly's not positive about #2, and #3 & 4 are likely the same species.

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  3. Cameron O. CarverSeptember 8, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    I am thinking #3&4 are Least and #2 is possibly Dusky.

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  4. Cameron O. CarverSeptember 8, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    That is if #3&4 are the same species, but I am not so sure they are.

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  5. Carolyn Ohl-JohnsonSeptember 8, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    Wow, you guys are good. Per Kelly, 3&4 are indeed Leasts, and his best guess on #2 is Dusky. I'm really impressed. It was pretty much Greek to me. Thanks, Cameron for weighing in. And you may be right, the last 2 aren't 100% for sure the same species. It gets confusing. Maybe someone else has an opinion on them.

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  6. lulubelleSeptember 9, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    Meant to post this last night, but my eyes wanted to sleep!!!I am saying Dusky for bird #2 and Least for birds 3 & 4, although like Cameron, I am not so sure they are the same bird (species). I am glad to see Cameron's post - it confirms my guesses!!!

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  7. Martin ReidSeptember 9, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    surely the wings on #1 are too short for Hammond's, as is the head shape - ? I think it's a Dusky, and I'd love to have Cameron or someone else say why 3 and 4 are not also Duskies... thanks

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  8. Carolyn Ohl-JohnsonSeptember 9, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Martin, I'm not qualified to answer that. I'll email Kelly with the question and get his answer to you. Thanks for looking.

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  9. MattSeptember 9, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    what is the age on bird #2? I thought I remembered something about Dusky moulting on the wintering grounds. That bird looks very fresh, are we saying it's a juvie? (though being from MI I could be way off)

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  10. Carolyn Ohl-JohnsonSeptember 10, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    Matt, I'll have to ask Kelly and get back to you.

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  11. Cameron O. CarverSeptember 12, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    Martin, I only said Least for 3 and 4 based on what had been said previously about them being the same species. In my opinion bird 3 is a Dusky and 4 is a least. As for bird 1 I still am leaning more towards Hammond's. This is the exact reason I don't like identifying empids based only upon sight. Sound and in hand measurements are key. Even then perhaps we should draw some blood :p.

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