[obol] Probable Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Malheur NWR) 10/04/07

[Jeff Gilligan]

Owen Schmidt and I found an empid today at The Sod House at Malheur NWR that
we believe is Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

Owen obtained good video - which we cannot transmit from The Narrows where
we currently are.  

Both of us noted the following:

1) small size - barely larger than nearby RC Kinglets.
2) extensive yellow below - but paler yellow on the throat
3) well-defined eye ring - with only a tiny extension at the rear
4) short bill
5) all yellow lower mandible
6) pale yellow wing bars with blackish coverts
7) short tail
8) all green tail and upper parts, including head

After we first located it we returned to the vehicle for warmer clothing and
the camera.  It took us three more hours to relocate the bird - but it
finally became evident and posed well at times.

Also this afternoon:

1 Western Tanager at Benson Pond.

Goin' south tomorrow.


Jeff Gilligan