tags: Vermilion Flycatcher, Galapagos Flycatcher, Darwin's Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Vermilion Flycatcher, also known as the Galapagos Flycatcher or as Darwin's Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus, photographed on the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Houston, Texas. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Joseph Kennedy, 11 November 2009 [larger view].
Nikon D200, Kowa 883 telescope with TSN-PZ camera eyepiece 1/1000s f/8.0 at 1000.0mm iso400.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Life Science
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Comments
Vermillion Flycatcher
Posted by: rob | March 11, 2010 10:52 AM
It has the flycatcher little barb feathers sticking out next to the beak which is pointy like a flycatcher and not stubby like a finch. The beak is darker than it would be for one of the reddish tanagers, too, I think? So Vermillion Flycatcher seems right to me, too.
I don't have my bird books here, but I'm guessing it's a male not in full breeding plumage? Maybe immature? or maybe off season? Can a better birder help me, please?
Posted by: Bardiac | March 11, 2010 11:58 AM
vermillion flycatcher. I've seen them in Texas, small, sharp bill, of course brilliant color on head and underparts in male, dark eye stripe and upper parts. When I first saw one I thought I was going to pass out, the color was SO amazing, I spotted that tiny bird from really, really far away. Stunning, charming. Also, they like to perch prominently, as have the few I've seen, and possibly this one. =) Thanks for quiz--fun!
Posted by: biobabbler | March 11, 2010 2:29 PM
Good call on the rictal bristles, Bardiac. And it looks like a young male, with the patchy red color. (Actually, about 18 months old.)
Posted by: psweet | March 11, 2010 3:54 PM
I'm going to suggest that the one above looks very similar to this juvenile male, beautifully photographed by Richard Ditch
Posted by: David Hilmy | March 11, 2010 6:24 PM
(just a quick comment to rob, bardiac, biobabbler- I think the correct spelling should be Vermilion with one "l"- although the two-l spelling is accepted for the color or in other usage lke place names, etc., I think most bona-fide birding sources us the single-l version)
Posted by: David Hilmy | March 11, 2010 6:59 PM
Thanks David, good point!
Posted by: rob | March 11, 2010 7:27 PM
David,
Thanks for the link to Richard Ditch's site. What an amazing shot (and there are so many more!). Just... thank you.
ps. Can I pretend I was using the early modern spelling? :)
Posted by: Bardiac | March 11, 2010 8:24 PM
only if you were pretending to use the word as an attributive adjective with a lower case "v"! LOL!
Don't forget the discussion we had in January with regard to another Vermilion where Sheri Williamson also posted an "after second year" bird for comparison
Posted by: David Hilmy | March 12, 2010 6:35 AM