Red-breasted Flycatcher.
As unexpected as this capture was
I was aware that Taiga Flycatcher (near
relative from further east) was the potential
confusion species. Taiga tend to be colder and
greyer and lack much warmth in the plumage.
they tend to have blacker tails and with
black upper tail coverts. Most guidance
suggests they have darker even blackish
bills lacking the pink/horn colour of the
Red-breasted's lower mandible. This bird was in
body and wing moult so wasn't looking at
it's best! The tail to my eyes did seem very
black but the uppertail coverts were brown. The extent
of the white on the outer tail feathers (and extending
down the tail) seemingly eliminates Taiga.
The bill was dark but not black and with hints
of warmth. The plumage was rather grey but with warm
browns in the crown, wings and upper mantle.
The bird was kind enough to deposit a little package
and left a small feather behind so if my identification
is questionable we may have a DNA option! |
