[obol] Beach bird mystery

[D.Max Smith]

Mike and others,

Thanks for all the feedback on our mystery beached bird.

If it were not for the plumage colors, I would be certain that this was an 
empidonax. I have handled many "western" flycatchers in the past and the 
dimensions seem to match up.

Per COASST survey protocol, my wife and I left the bird in question on the 
beach Monday. Unfortunately, I am too busy this week to drive from Hillsboro 
to Sand Lake to salvage the bird. Also, the bird was found in the surf zone, 
so I am not sure if it would still be there. If anyone would like to search 
for the bird, I can give them more detailed directions.

Max Smith

>From: Jeff Gilligan <jeffgill at teleport.com>
>To: Mike Patterson <celata at pacifier.com>,david tracy <davect at bendnet.com>
>CC: Obol <obol at lists.oregonstate.edu>
>Subject: Re: [obol] Beach bird mystery
>Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 13:22:24 -0700
>
>Who has the specimen? I can pick it up and get it to a museum if necessary.
>
>Jeff Gilligan
>
>
>On 5/23/07 10:45 AM, "Mike Patterson" <celata at pacifier.com> wrote:
>
> > I think an important piece of this mystery that is deceptive
> > from the "blowing up" of the image.  This is a SMALL bird.
> > The wing length excludes all flycatchers except Empidonax.
> > The length of the entire bird is less than 15cm (less than
> > 6 inches).
> >
> > So, this is either one of the big-billed Empidonax (Western,
> > Yellow-bellied, Acadian or Traill's) or a strange Eurasian
> > stray....
> >
> > Yes, someone should try to salvage this bird.
> >
> > david tracy wrote:
> >>
> >> Interesting specimen.  I agree with Shawneen that the underparts and
> >> crown would probably not have looked so black on a living bird.
> >>
> >> The lower mandible looks yellowish, and the description at:  http://
> >> home.pacifier.com/~neawanna/temp/smith_flyc.html
> >> suggests the upper wing was plain olive-brown without wing bars.  Has
> >> anyone thought about it being a _Contopus_ type flycatcher?
> >>
> >> Dave
> >>
> >> david tracy
> >> davect at bendnet.com
> >> Bend, OR
> >>
>
>
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