Flycatchers: Part I

Continuing with the series from my new book on Birds of the Western United States, we come to the Flycatchers.

First up the Ash-throated, Brown-crested, and Dusky-capped Flycatchers. These three flycatchers are very similar in plumage and they overlap in terms of range and habitat. This can make identifying them a bit tricky when all you get is a "glance." 

The Ash-throated has the widest range extending from west Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California,   Utah, Nevada, and Oregon. It is larger than the Dusky-capped, but slightly smaller than the Brown-crested.  It is a little paler in color than the other two:

Ash-throated Flycatcher

The Brown-crested is the darkest of the three, but it's most distinguishing characteristic is its larger bill. It's range is the southern most tip of Texas and souther Arizona:

Brown-crested Flycatcher

 The Dusky-capped is the smallest of the three with a finer bill and brighter yellow in the belly and flanks. It also has the narrowest range of the three, only to be found in southeast Arizona:

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Birding Patagonia

There are lots of good birding spots in the Patagonia - Sonoita area.

In Patagonia there is The Paton House for Hummingbirds, the Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve, the Roadside Rest four miles south of town, and Patagonia Lake seven miles south of town.

In Sonoita there is the 25,000 acre Las Cienegas National Conservation area. 

Here are some photos, starting with Patons (Yes, I know it is the Paton Center for Hummingbirds and I took no Hummingbird photos. I was just "focusing" on other things). 

Brown Crested Flycatcher

Loved the Catepillar

Coneflower

Dull Firetip

Yes, a Javelina came up out of the wash while I was there

Wilson's Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Best Wildlife Photos of 2016: Brown Crested Flycatcher

Next a Brown Crested Flycatcher taken along the Santa Cruz River just east of Tumacacori:

Brown Crested Flycatcher

Great Day Birding Sabino Canyon

An early breakfast allowed me to get to Sabino Canyon by 9:30 am. I hiked up to the Dam (just a tad over a mile) and birded the 200 yards between the dam and the Sabino Creek crossing. Lots of bird song and activity. The surprise was a Yellow Breasted Chat, normally very secretive and more often heard than seen. I was off the trail in the middle of a mesquite bosque standing perfectly still when he came by. At first he was obscured by foliage, but remaining still I waited for a couple of minutes until he found an opening. Then "snap!"

Other nice finds: Male and Female Summer Tanager, and lovely cooperative Yellow Warbler. A Lucy's Warbler that just couldn't stop singing. Oh, and a young male Bullock's Oriole. Here are some photos:

Brown Crested Flycatcher

Brown Crested Flycatcher

Bullock's Oriole Juvenile

Cardinal Male

Lucy's Warbler Singing

Summer Tanager Female

Summer Tanager Male

Yellow Breasted Chat

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler Singing

Still More From Sweetwater Wetlands

In addition to the Bobcats, Green Herons, and Warblers there were many other nice photo opportunities at Sweetwater two weeks ago:

Black Phoebe

Brown Crested Flycatcher with Dragonfly in Bill

Cooper's Hawk Eyeing Lunch

Great Egret

Ladder backed Woodpecker

Red Skimmer

Snowy Egret

Song Sparrow

Verdin Gathering Material for his Nest

Vermillion Flycatcher

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Brown Crested Flycatcher

The Brown Crested Flycatcher is a beautifully striking bird and a joy to see:

Brown Crested Flycatcher

Saguaro National Park

I awoke this morning as I usually do around 4:45. Realizing that I didn't have to make breakfast for anyone I thought I would go to Saguaro National Park just at sunrise. SNP is about five minutes from us. I expected to see some Black Tailed Jackrabbits, and they didn't disappoint. Got some other nice photos as well:

Black Tail Jackrabbits facing off

Black Tail Jackrabbit reaching for Mesquite flowers

Black Tail Jackrabbit staring me down

Black Tail Jackrabbit hiding -- well he thinks he is

Raven eating the flowers of a Saguaro

Swainson's Hawk chicks in nest of Saguaro

Brown Crested Flycatcher

Gambels Quail eating Saguaro Flowers

Curved Bill Thrasher standing on a Saguaro Flower yet to Bloom

Teddy Bear Cholla in the Morning Sun

Brown Crested Flycatcher

Well, the plea to the universe helped  ...  some. We had very hard monsoon rain yesterday (after the blog was posted) --- for about ten minutes. Still need more though, but thanks Seattle for sending us some. It's been a little "muggy" the last couple of days. Not unusual for monsoon days. With the humidity comes the bugs. And, with the bugs, come the flycatchers. We see the Brown Crested Flycatcher occasionally. He is found more typically in the riparian woods. And, only in Arizona and northern Mexico. But, since we have lots of mesquites, palo verdes, and creosotes he wanders our way. And, so he did today. This photo taken through my office window. 

San Pedro Wildlife Conservation Area - Birder's Delight

The San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (NCA) is about 57,000 acres along the San Pedro River between the international border and St. David, Arizona.  The primary purpose for the special designation (by Congress) is to protect and enhance the desert riparian ecosystem, a rare remnant of what was once an extensive network of similar riparian systems throughout the American Southwest. It is home to 84 species of mammals, 14 species of fish, 41 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 100 species of breeding birds. It also provides invaluable habitat for 250 species of migrant and wintering birds and contains archaeological sites representing the remains of human occupation from 13,000 years ago. The photos are of three of the birds that breed there.  The first is a juvenile Summer Tanager, which will turn bright red as an adult. The second photo is the Brown Crested Flycatcher. And, the last which is familiar to Southern Arizonians, the Vermillion Flycatcher.