Joe Morlan
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Joe Morlan
@jmorlan.bsky.social
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 18h
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)
9 October 2022. Lake Merced, San Francisco, California, USA.

A blue iridescent male striking a tail-up pose. Still expanding their range, they were first recorded in California along the Colorado River in 1964.

#Birds
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) 9 October 2022. Lake Merced, San Francisco, California, USA. A blue iridescent male striking a tail-up pose. Still expanding their range, they were first recorded in California along the Colorado River in 1964 and are now locally common in Northern California. Formerly lumped with the similar Boat-tailed Grackle of the East and Gulf coasts.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 1d
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
16 October 2025. Skylawn Cemetery, Highlands, California, USA.

They breeds across much of the continent, choosing gravel bars when available. But they have become well adapted to nesting on roadsides, golf course edges and even tar & gravel rooftops.

#Birds
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 16 October 2025. Skylawn Cemetery, Highlands, California, USA. One of the most widespread and familiar North American shorebird. They breeds across much of the continent, choosing gravel bars when available. But they have become well adapted to nesting on roadsides, golf course edges and even tar & gravel rooftops. They are noisy alarmists, calling a loud "kill-dee" frequently stirring up anxiety among all the other birds for no apparent reason. Thus the name "vociferus". North American birds are the larger nominate race. Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 16 October 2025. Skylawn Cemetery, Highlands, California, USA. One of the most widespread and familiar North American shorebird. They breeds across much of the continent, choosing gravel bars when available. But they have become well adapted to nesting on roadsides, golf course edges and even tar & gravel rooftops. They are noisy alarmists, calling a loud "kill-dee" frequently stirring up anxiety among all the other birds for no apparent reason. Thus the name "vociferus". North American birds are the larger nominate race.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 3d
Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)
16 October 2025. Skylawn Cemetery, Highlands, California, USA.

Famous for different populations having different call types and bill sizes.

#Birds
Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) 16 October 2025. Skylawn Cemetery, Highlands, California, USA. Famous for different populations having different call types and bill sizes. My voice recording matches type 12. However that type is centered in the northeast and has only one previous California record. But it might be the enigmatic type 7, the rarest call type with unknown call variation and unknown range. For now it remains a mystery. The left bird is a male with a mixture of red and yellow. It is tempting to attribute the yellow to immaturity but they are nomadic and molt at different seasons. Adult males molting in winter look like this. Crossbills specialize on Pine Cones. Their crossed bill tip specialized for extracting pine nuts from the cones. Sometimes called the "Common Crossbill." Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) 16 October 2025. Skylawn Cemetery, Highlands, California, USA. Famous for different populations having different call types and bill sizes. My voice recording matches type 12. However that type is centered in the northeast and has only one previous California record. But it might be the enigmatic type 7, the rarest call type with unknown call variation and unknown range. For now it remains a mystery.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 4d
Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius hudsonicus)
13 October 2025. Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo, California, USA.

Taxonomy in transition. Formerly lumped with the Eurasian Whimbrel they are scheduled to be split in the next Clements/eBird update.

#Birds
Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius hudsonicus) 13 October 2025. Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo, California, USA. Taxonomy in transition. Formerly lumped with the Eurasian Whimbrel they are scheduled to be split in the next Clements/eBird update bringing our taxonomy in line with IOC and AviList and reverting to an older taxonomy before they were lumped in 1957. Hudsonian differs from Eurasian Whimbrel in having a dark rump and more contrasting head stripes. This is an adult in non-breeding (basic) plumage. Note its diffuse feather pattern and relatively long pink-based bill. Their diet appears to be mostly Mole Crabs. They are long-distance migrants and winter visitors on our beaches and rocky shores but are rarely encountered inland. .
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 5d
Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva)
13 October 2025. Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo, California, USA.

A nice bright juvenile found 09 October by Michael Long. Increasingly scarce in California.

#Birds
Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) 13 October 2025. Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo, California, USA. A nice bright juvenile found 09 October by Michael Long. Increasingly scarce in California, they are long-distance migrants breeding from the Russian Far-East to northern Alaska, and migrating as far as Australia and New Zealand. The yellowish eyebrow, extensive gold spangling and short primary projection help distinguish this species from the similar American Golden-Plover. Here in California, both species may occur during migration but only Pacific is known to winter. The two species were split in 1993. Formerly they went under the name "Lesser Golden-Plover." Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) 13 October 2025. Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo, California, USA. A nice bright juvenile found 09 October by Michael Long. Increasingly scarce in California, they are long-distance migrants breeding from the Russian Far-East to northern Alaska, and migrating as far as Australia and New Zealand. The yellowish eyebrow, extensive gold spangling and short primary projection help distinguish this species from the similar American Golden-Plover. Here in California, both species may occur during migration but only Pacific is known to winter. The two species were split in 1993. Formerly they went under the name "Lesser Golden-Plover." Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) 13 October 2025. Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo, California, USA. Spread wing showing smoky gray underwing lacking dark axillaries of similar Black-bellied Plover.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 6d
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)
13 October 2025. Coyote Point Freshwater Marsh, San Mateo, California, USA.

Scarce along the immediate coast, this bird was first reported 07 October by Tom Duncan. A non-breeding adult showing the green and bronze sheen.

#Birds
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 7d
Western Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis)
14 September 2025. Fort Mason, San Francisco, California, USA.

Formerly split from the virtually identical Cordilleran Flycatcher under the name "Pacific-slope Flycatcher."

#Birds
Western Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) 14 September 2025. Fort Mason, San Francisco, California, USA. Formerly split from the virtually identical Cordilleran Flycatcher under the name "Pacific-slope Flycatcher." More recent research found extensive hybridization and more vocal overlap than previously thought. Presumably the nominate race. The buffy wing-bars indicate an immature (formative plumage). Note the yellow throat and the tear-drop shaped eyering which expands behind the eye which help distinguish this species from similar "Empidonax" species. Western Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) 14 September 2025. Fort Mason, San Francisco, California, USA. Formerly split from the virtually identical Cordilleran Flycatcher under the name "Pacific-slope Flycatcher." More recent research found extensive hybridization and more vocal overlap than previously thought. Presumably the nominate race. The buffy wing-bars indicate an immature (formative plumage). Note the yellow throat and the tear-drop shaped eyering which expands behind the eye which help distinguish this species from similar "Empidonax" species.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 8d
Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea)
14 September 2025. Fort Mason, San Francisco, California, USA.

Usually preferring to forage on tree trunks and pine cones, this one has discovered the sweet joy Crimson Bottlebrush nectar.

#Birds
Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea) 14 September 2025. Fort Mason, San Francisco, California, USA. Usually preferring to forage on tree trunks and pine cones, this one has discovered the sweet joy Crimson Bottlebrush nectar. Resident with a patchy distribution in Western North America, they usually associate with pine. But here along the West Coast they have adapted to a variety of wooded habitats. In non-breeding (basic) plumage these smallest of North American nuthatches are buffy below but that color fades to white. The nominate race here is characterized by ear coverts almost the same color as the crown. Other races have contrasting dark ear coverts. Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea) 14 September 2025. Fort Mason, San Francisco, California, USA. Usually preferring to forage on tree trunks and pine cones, this one has discovered the sweet joy Crimson Bottlebrush nectar. Resident with a patchy distribution in Western North America, they usually associate with pine. But here along the West Coast they have adapted to a variety of wooded habitats. In non-breeding (basic) plumage these smallest of North American nuthatches are buffy below but that color fades to white. The nominate race here is characterized by ear coverts almost the same color as the crown. Other races have contrasting dark ear coverts. Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea) 14 September 2025. Fort Mason, San Francisco, California, USA. Usually preferring to forage on tree trunks and pine cones, this one has discovered the sweet joy Crimson Bottlebrush nectar. Resident with a patchy distribution in Western North America, they usually associate with pine. But here along the West Coast they have adapted to a variety of wooded habitats. In non-breeding (basic) plumage these smallest of North American nuthatches are buffy below but that color fades to white. The nominate race here is characterized by ear coverts almost the same color as the crown. Other races have contrasting dark ear coverts.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 9d
Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus)
10 October 2025. Mavericks Beach, Moss Beach, California, USA.

An uncommon and declining visitor to California, this individual was particularly cooperative. A female in non-breeding (basic) plumage by the lack of rufous nape and overall buffy color.

#Birds
Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) 10 October 2025. Mavericks Beach, Moss Beach, California, USA. Working the kelp wrack at Mavericks Beach. An uncommon and declining visitor to California, this individual was particularly cooperative. Found yesterday by Cricket Raspet. A female in non-breeding (basic) plumage by the lack of rufous nape and overall buffy color. The long, straight rear claw gives longspurs their name. The black outline to the ear coverts and contrasting chestnut greater wing coverts help distinguish this species. Also known as "Lapland Bunting" in Britain. California specimens consistent with paler "C. l. alascensis:" Declines in our area attributed to climate change and decommissioning of dairy farms at Point Reyes. Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) 10 October 2025. Mavericks Beach, Moss Beach, California, USA. Working the kelp wrack at Mavericks Beach. An uncommon and declining visitor to California, this individual was particularly cooperative. Found yesterday by Cricket Raspet. A female in non-breeding (basic) plumage by the lack of rufous nape and overall buffy color. The long, straight rear claw gives longspurs their name. The black outline to the ear coverts and contrasting chestnut greater wing coverts help distinguish this species. Also known as "Lapland Bunting" in Britain. California specimens consistent with paler "C. l. alascensis:" Declines in our area attributed to climate change and decommissioning of dairy farms at Point Reyes. Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) 10 October 2025. Mavericks Beach, Moss Beach, California, USA. Working the kelp wrack at Mavericks Beach. An uncommon and declining visitor to California, this individual was particularly cooperative. Found yesterday by Cricket Raspet. A female in non-breeding (basic) plumage by the lack of rufous nape and overall buffy color. The long, straight rear claw gives longspurs their name. The black outline to the ear coverts and contrasting chestnut greater wing coverts help distinguish this species. Also known as "Lapland Bunting" in Britain. California specimens consistent with paler "C. l. alascensis:" Declines in our area attributed to climate change and decommissioning of dairy farms at Point Reyes.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 10d
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
30 September 2025. Bodega Harbor, Bodega Bay, California, USA.

Non-breeding (basic) plumage. The smudgy "bow-tie" pattern on the chest and orange legs help distinguish them from the more common Black Turnstone.

#Birds
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) 30 September 2025. Bodega Harbor, Bodega Bay, California, USA. Non-breeding (basic) plumage. The smudgy "bow-tie" pattern on the chest and orange legs help distinguish them from the more common Black Turnstone. One of a flock of five Ruddy Turnstones near the Tides Wharf, the largest number I have seen in California since 1973. One study found they declined by 43% along the entire California coast from 1990 to 2005. Sadly this trend has continued and they remain very uncommon to rare here. However they remain very common away from the North American West Coast where they don't have to compete with Black Turnstones.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 11d
Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera)
05 October 2025. Lake Merced, San Francisco, California, USA.

A striking adult male still showing body scalloping retained from summer plumage. Its population is estimated at fewer than 300,000 making it one of our least common dabbling ducks.

#Birding
Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera) 05 October 2025. Lake Merced, San Francisco, California, USA. A striking adult male still showing body scalloping retained from summer (eclipse) plumage. Its North American population is estimated at fewer than 300,000 making it one of our least common dabbling ducks. Formerly placed in the genus "Anas," this is the North American subspecies "septentrionalium" lacking black spots on its sides and breast found in South America.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 13d
Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii)
05 October 2025. Lake Merced, San Francisco, California, USA.

A recently hatched juvenile, not yet full grown and still begging for food. Note more extensive white plumage but a darker bill and interesting crown pattern.

#Birds
Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) 05 October 2025. Lake Merced, San Francisco, California, USA. A recently hatched juvenile, not yet full grown and still begging for food. Note more extensive white plumage but a darker bill and interesting crown pattern. Formerly thought to be a color morph of the Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe was split into a separate species in 1985. These large swan-like grebes of Western North America are best distinguished by the placement of the red eye. Birds with the eye mostly surrounded by white are Clark's while Western Grebe has the eye surrounded by dark.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 14d
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris)
04 October 2025. El Granada, California, USA.

Donna Pomeroy kindly allowed birders access to her house to see this Painted Bunting visiting a feeder in her yard. A rare vagrant in California with at least four previous San Mateo County records.

#Birds
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) 04 October 2025. El Granada, California, USA. Donna Pomeroy kindly allowed birders access to her house to see this Painted Bunting visiting a feeder in her yard. Males take two years to acquire their outrageously bright multi-colored plumage. In their first year, they are usually indistinguishable from the overall greenish females. A rare vagrant in California with at least four previous San Mateo County records. This individual is a juvenile with pale base to the bill and pale tips to its wing coverts forming a faint wing bar. Two subspecies are separated by a broad range gap. They have different molt and migration strategies. "P. c. pallidior" migrates in juvenal plumage while "P. c. ciris" does not, thus confirming our bird is "pallidior".
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 15d
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)
03 October 2025. Fort Mason, San Francisco, California, USA.

Note the red inner web extending to the tip and all the way to the feather shaft and the dark centers to the crown feathers. The fourth record for the city of San Francisco.

#Birds
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 03 October 2025. Fort Mason, San Francisco, California, USA. First reported by Francesca Pastine on 01 October. Flycatchers in the genus "Myiarchus" are notoriously difficult to identify. Subtle differences in the distribution of red in the tail can help. Note the red inner web extending to the tip and all the way to the feather shaft. Usually visible on the underside of the tail, but here a misplaced feather shows this pattern from above. Note also the dark centers to the crown feathers. The combination of more extensive lemon yellow belly contrasting with mouse gray chest and a the pink base to the bill help distinguish this species. A very rare vagrant to California. If accepted this is the fourth record for the city of San Francisco.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 16d
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata)
28 September 2025. Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, San Rafael, California, USA.

Rather shy and reclusive immature lacking the bright
red frontal shield. Recently split from the Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) of Eurasia.

#Birds
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 17d
North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis)
28 September 2025. Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, San Rafael, California, USA.

A group of three River Otters on the bank of a pond. The species is said to be solitary except for family groups of females and their young.

#Wildlife #Nature
North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) 28 September 2025. Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, San Rafael, California, USA. Two young, one peeking over the head of another. We were fortunate to see a group of three River Otters on the bank of a pond. The species is said to be solitary except for family groups of females and their young. Semiaquatic, these are the Western subspecies "L. c. pacifica" which venture into marine environments as well as fresh water. Note the tiny ears. Similar to the Eurasian Otter, North American animals have a narrower face, but broader nose pad. They continue to decline in many areas because of trapping for the fur trade. North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) 28 September 2025. Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, San Rafael, California, USA. We were fortunate to see a group of three River Otters on the bank of a pond. The species is said to be solitary except for family groups of females and their young. Semiaquatic, these are the Western subspecies "L. c. pacifica" which venture into marine environments as well as fresh water. Note the tiny ears. Similar to the Eurasian Otter, North American animals have a narrower face, but broader nose pad. They continue to decline in many areas because of trapping for the fur trade.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 24d
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis)
08 June 2025. Fort Simcoe, Yakima, Washington, USA.

Highly migratory summer breeder in grasslands of western North America. Virtually no winter records. Note the dark tail with white outer webs.

#Birds
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) 08 June 2025. Fort Simcoe, Yakima, Washington, USA. Highly migratory summer breeder in grasslands of western North America. Virtually no winter records. Note the dark tail with white outer webs. The wing coverts are almost unmarked and darker than the gray mantle. Called kingbirds in the genus "Tyrannus" because of their aggressive tyrannical defense of their nest against potential predators. Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) 08 June 2025. Fort Simcoe, Yakima, Washington, USA. Highly migratory summer breeder in grasslands of western North America. Virtually no winter records. Note the dark tail with white outer webs. The wing coverts are almost unmarked and darker than the gray mantle. Called kingbirds in the genus "Tyrannus" because of their aggressive tyrannical defense of their nest against potential predators.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 25d
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)
08 June 2025. Fort Simcoe, Yakima, Washington, USA.

A unique well marked sparrow of arid grasslands in the interior of the American West.

#Birds
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) 08 June 2025. Fort Simcoe, Yakima, Washington, USA. A unique well marked sparrow of arid grasslands in the interior of the American West. An adult showing a complex chestnut head pattern. The only member of the genus Chondestes. Of the two subspecies , this is presumably the western "C. g. strigatus" characterized by slightly paler overall coloration, narrower back streaks, and reduced black in the face. Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) 08 June 2025. Fort Simcoe, Yakima, Washington, USA. A unique well marked sparrow of arid grasslands in the interior of the American West. An adult showing a complex chestnut head pattern. The only member of the genus Chondestes. Of the two subspecies , this is presumably the western "C. g. strigatus" characterized by slightly paler overall coloration, narrower back streaks, and reduced black in the face.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 26d
Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis)
08 June 2025. Fort Simcoe, Yakima, Washington, USA.

An unusual weird-looking species acting more like a flycatcher than a woodpecker. They have been driven out of many of their former breeding areas by introduced European Starlings.

#Birds
Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) 08 June 2025. Fort Simcoe, Yakima, Washington, USA. An unusual weird-looking species acting more like a flycatcher than a woodpecker. They have been driven out of many of their former breeding areas by introduced European Starlings. Locally distributed and somewhat colonial. Named in honor of its discoverer, Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Lewis and Clark were both slave owners so it remains to be seen if the AOS purges the eponymous names from this woodpecker and from Clark's namesake Nutcracker.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 27d
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
08 June 2025. Fort Simcoe, Yakima, Washington, USA.

Not actually a lark, meadowlarks are New World blackbirds (Icterids).

#Birds
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) 08 June 2025. Fort Simcoe, Yakima, Washington, USA. Resident in much of Western North America, they move locally from breeding in green grassy hill country to wintering in small flocks in lowland pastures and weedy fields. They are shy, seldom allowing close approach. Not actually a lark, meadowlarks are New World blackbirds (Icterids). The scientific name (S. neglecta) was provided by Audubon who noted how neglected the species had been, because of confusion with the Eastern Meadowlark. The two are hard to distinguish except by song and call-notes. The brownish mottled cheek and yellow extending into the malar area help distinguish the Western Meadowlark from the Eastern. Captive studies have found hybrids between the two have low fertility.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 28d
Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus)
07 June 2025. Chinook Pass, Yakima, Washington, USA.

Female looks completely different from the black, white and red male. Not surprisingly, early ornithologists originally described the males and females as a totally different species.

#Birds
Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) 07 June 2025. Chinook Pass, Yakima, Washington, USA. A female. Can be confused with a Flicker or Gila Woodpecker. In most woodpeckers, females closely resemble males except for slight differences in the amount and distribution of red on the head. But here the female looks completely different from the black, white and red male. Not surprisingly, early ornithologists originally described the males and females as a totally different species.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · 29d
White-headed Woodpecker (Dryobates albolarvatus)
06 Jun 2025. Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington, USA.

A unique woodpecker of the far western mountains strongly associated with Ponderosa Pine. An adult male showing a red patch on its nape.

#Birds
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · Sep 19
Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon)
06 June 2025. Parke Creek Road, Ellensburg, Washington, USA.

The Pale (or Pallid) Swallowtail is less common than the similar Western Tiger Swallowtail. In addition to its paler color, its forewings are narrower, and its black stripes are broader.

#Butterflies
Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon) 06 June 2025. Parke Creek Road, Ellensburg, Washington, USA. The Pale (or Pallid) Swallowtail is usually less common than the similar Western Tiger Swallowtail. In addition to its paler color, its forewings are narrower, more angular and its black stripes are broader.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · Sep 18
Dark-sided Flycatcher (Muscicapa sibirica)
18 September 2025. Charleston Rd. Marsh, Mountain View, Santa Clara County, California, USA.

Old World flycatchers pose some challenging identification issues, but this one has been identified as Dark-sided by a number of experts.

#Birds
Dark-sided Flycatcher (Muscicapa sibirica) 18 September 2025. Charleston Rd. Marsh, Mountain View, Santa Clara County, California, USA. Also called Siberian Flycatcher. Found by Eve Meier and Patricia Lynch yesterday morning. Old World flycatchers pose some challenging identification issues, but this one has been identified as Dark-sided by a number of experts. Previous records from Alaskan Islands and also Point Barrow June 2013. No other previous North American records. A small flycatcher about the size of a goldfinch. Mostly gray with a faint eyering expanding behind the eye. Dark sides forming a vested appearance with blurry gray spotting across the chest and down the flanks. White belly. Upperparts gray with whitish spots on the tips of the wing coverts forming a row of spots. Pale grayish throat with two dark "whisker" marks below the white malar which extends as a half collar across the side of the neck. Narrow whitish tertial fringes. There are two subspecies groups of which this one shows characters of the more northerly nominate race. Birds in the Himalayas are darker below and usually lack the white belly. Similar Gray-streaked Flycatcher has more distinct streaks, lacks gray flanks and vest, brighter wing bars, and a more distinct malar pattern. Differs from Asian Brown Flycatcher in having blurry streaks on its underparts and longer primary projection. Dark-sided Flycatcher (Muscicapa sibirica) 18 September 2025. Charleston Rd. Marsh, Mountain View, Santa Clara County, California, USA. Also called Siberian Flycatcher. Found by Eve Meier and Patricia Lynch yesterday morning. Old World flycatchers pose some challenging identification issues, but this one has been identified as Dark-sided by a number of experts. Previous records from Alaskan Islands and also Point Barrow June 2013. No other previous North American records. A small flycatcher about the size of a goldfinch. Mostly gray with a faint eyering expanding behind the eye. Dark sides forming a vested appearance with blurry gray spotting across the chest and down the flanks. White belly. Upperparts gray with whitish spots on the tips of the wing coverts forming a row of spots. Pale grayish throat with two dark "whisker" marks below the white malar which extends as a half collar across the side of the neck. Narrow whitish tertial fringes. There are two subspecies groups of which this one shows characters of the more northerly nominate race. Birds in the Himalayas are darker below and usually lack the white belly. Similar Gray-streaked Flycatcher has more distinct streaks, lacks gray flanks and vest, brighter wing bars, and a more distinct malar pattern. Differs from Asian Brown Flycatcher in having blurry streaks on its underparts and longer primary projection.
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Joe Morlan @jmorlan.bsky.social · Sep 17
Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii)
06 Jun 2025. Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington, USA.

A member of the cryptic "Empidonax" genus of American flycatchers which closely resemble each other. Best distinguished by voice.

#Birds
Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii) 06 Jun 2025. Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington, USA. A member of the cryptic "Empidonax" genus of American flycatchers which closely resemble each other. Best distinguished by voice. Almost identical to the Dusky Flycatcher ("Empidonax oberholseri") which breeds nearby, but in different habitat. Originally the two were thought to be the same species, but the confusion between them was so profound that, long after the two were split, the type specimen of the Dusky Flycatcher was eventually shown to actually be a Gray Flycatcher. Dusky Flycatcher was formerly named "Empidonax wrightii", the "Wright's Flycatcher" and the Gray Flycatcher was "Empidonax griseus". When ornithologists finally realized that E. wrightii had been used for the wrong species, "E. wrightii" had to be applied to the Gray Flycatcher because that name had been used first (law of priority). That meant new names were needed for the Wright's Flycatcher which got both a new English name and a new scientific name. So if you find these birds confusing, don't feel bad. The scientists who first described them were even more confused.
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