A friend shared this handy chart with me. I find it very helpful. Maybe you will too...
Identifying empid flycatchers...
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- Brian Hubbs
- Posts: 4735
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:41 am
- Location: "Buy My Books"-land
- Brian Hubbs
- Posts: 4735
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:41 am
- Location: "Buy My Books"-land
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Wow, this forum is DEAD! 18 views and nobody thought that was funny? I give up...
- nightdriver
- Posts: 427
- Joined: August 24th, 2010, 9:34 pm
- Location: Los Angeles County
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
I don't get it....
Just kidding...wish I'd created it..
It's missing Pine....
nightdriver
Just kidding...wish I'd created it..
It's missing Pine....
nightdriver
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
I don't see what cartoon tadpoles have to with this...
- Brian Hubbs
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- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:41 am
- Location: "Buy My Books"-land
- nightdriver
- Posts: 427
- Joined: August 24th, 2010, 9:34 pm
- Location: Los Angeles County
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Those aren't stingrays?
- intermedius
- Posts: 481
- Joined: March 22nd, 2012, 7:19 pm
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Empids, the Desmognathus of the birding world.
- Justin
- Justin
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
I know they're all the same color, but when I look at this graphic and my eyes scan from head to head, they appear to be slightly different shades of brown. Anyone else notice this optical illusion?
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Except salamanders don't have distinctive call notes.intermedius wrote:Empids, the Desmognathus of the birding world.
- Justin
- Brian Hubbs
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- Location: "Buy My Books"-land
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
It's all the fault of DNA...and the fact that some empids lisp when they call, and people erroneously thought those speech impeded birds were a different species...
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Those pictures are misleading. How am I supposed to estimate primary extensions from those drawings?
I actually like empids, and I live in an area where they almost never call (during migration).
And if you are really having trouble, buy an older field guide. Western and Traill's Flycatchers are easier to ID that Alder, Willow, Cordilleran and Pacific Slope Flycatchers!
But the big bonus is that they are the easiest birds to photograph.
Traill's Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher -
Dusky Flycatcher -
Hammond's Flycatcher -
Least Flycatcher -
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher -
Besides, if you do label your empid photos, it isn't like anyone can prove you are wrong!
But if you get too good at ID'ing these, you can move on to Prions or the European Warblers.
I actually like empids, and I live in an area where they almost never call (during migration).
And if you are really having trouble, buy an older field guide. Western and Traill's Flycatchers are easier to ID that Alder, Willow, Cordilleran and Pacific Slope Flycatchers!
But the big bonus is that they are the easiest birds to photograph.
Traill's Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher -
Dusky Flycatcher -
Hammond's Flycatcher -
Least Flycatcher -
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher -
Besides, if you do label your empid photos, it isn't like anyone can prove you are wrong!
But if you get too good at ID'ing these, you can move on to Prions or the European Warblers.
- Brian Hubbs
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- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:41 am
- Location: "Buy My Books"-land
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
What is a Trail's flycatcher? My book doesn't list it. Is it south of the border? If so, I don't need to worry about that one...
Oh, nice pics by the way...
Oh, nice pics by the way...
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
It was the name of the Acadian/Willow Flycatcher group before they split. Birds in field can only be reliably separated by call.
As for empid identification in general, I suspect they are often misidentified, even sometimes by the most skillful birders when no vocalization is given.
As for empid identification in general, I suspect they are often misidentified, even sometimes by the most skillful birders when no vocalization is given.
- Brian Hubbs
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Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Agreed. There are some empids, particularly south of the border, that are easy to ID but I doubt anyone who says they can correctly ID non-calling empids....and many that think they can ID some calling empids!monklet wrote:As for empid identification in general, I suspect they are often misidentified, even sometimes by the most skillful birders when no vocalization is given.
- Hans Breuer (twoton)
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Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Very nice
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Sweet mother of mercy, Brian, it's true, you've turned twitcher. You weren't lying. Next time I see you, it'll be a tweed jacket and a fake British accent.
"Snakes crawl forth twixt briar and trail
For mad herpetologist thy search doth fail"
Jeff
"Snakes crawl forth twixt briar and trail
For mad herpetologist thy search doth fail"
Jeff
- Brian Hubbs
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- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:41 am
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Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
This is what the DNA bullshit with herps does to people...they go after a new hobby...
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Real birders don't wear tweed. They wear loose fitting kakhi pants, long sleeve kakhi shirts over a bird-themed T-shirt, a khaki photographer's vest and a kakhi floppy wide-brimmed hat.Jeff wrote:Sweet mother of mercy, Brian, it's true, you've turned twitcher. You weren't lying. Next time I see you, it'll be a tweed jacket and a fake British accent.
Actually, we herpers could learn something from them. Having done it both ways, I can assure you that after 12 hours in the field in the tropics you are much more comfortable dressed like a birder than a herper (flip flops, shorts, t-shirt) or a hiker (shorts, hiking boots, long sleeves).
- Hans Breuer (twoton)
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Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Khaki, in the forest?? I spend a fortune on cammo clothes, and I wish they made Ghillie suits my sizeReal birders don't wear tweed. They wear loose fitting kakhi pants, long sleeve kakhi shirts over a bird-themed T-shirt, a khaki photographer's vest and a kakhi floppy wide-brimmed hat.
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Khaki won't get you in trouble like Camo can.
- Hans Breuer (twoton)
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Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Like, in heavily contested border areas?
Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Yes, or places with military "issues" like oppressive military regimes and general distrust of the government or places with potential instability from putative insurgent factions.Hans Breuer (twoton) wrote:Like, in heavily contested border areas?
Indonesia used to be this way back in the early 80s. Military looking gear wasn't a way to make friends in some areas.
- Curtis Hart
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Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Camo is completely banned where I volunteer on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. They are afraid of someone taking the island.
- Hans Breuer (twoton)
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Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Thanks for the warnings, guys!