Well, to be honest, I would never have looked twice at the bird if I'd seen it in the field. I would have expected the median wingbar to be much stronger (in fact I hardly saw any obvious white on the the median coverts of the bird everyone was watching). I've seen Pied Flycatchers with much stronger median covert bars than that before. For some reason, I seem to remember that Semi-collared had a thicker bill than Pied...
...(although I'm not 100% sure of this point) and the bill on the bird I was watching was thin and pointed, like a normal Pied. Other than that, I'm unsure of the full extent to the variation of the other features (primary patch, tertial pattern, white in the outer tail), so I'd prefer to hear from someone with more experience than myself, although I'm sure you can tell from my comments that I'm not particularly impressed by the bird.
The background music could be more appropriate. I'd suggest something orchestral - with a large string section.
trafficnetwork 3 years ago
It appears that the string section has already played their part in this ID ;-)
ethering 3 years ago
The song is diagnostic.
docmartin2mc 3 years ago
Looks like any other autumn Pied Fly to me.
trafficnetwork 3 years ago
The included sound-track with characteristic vocalizations is quite compelling.
joemorlan 3 years ago
Thanks Joe :-)
It's better than the real background noise though, which is basically a load of over-loud birders talking complete drivel.
ethering 3 years ago
What are your thoughts after actually seeing the bird in the flesh? Could it be one??
benj121212 3 years ago
Part 1
Well, to be honest, I would never have looked twice at the bird if I'd seen it in the field. I would have expected the median wingbar to be much stronger (in fact I hardly saw any obvious white on the the median coverts of the bird everyone was watching). I've seen Pied Flycatchers with much stronger median covert bars than that before. For some reason, I seem to remember that Semi-collared had a thicker bill than Pied...
ethering 3 years ago
Part 2
...(although I'm not 100% sure of this point) and the bill on the bird I was watching was thin and pointed, like a normal Pied. Other than that, I'm unsure of the full extent to the variation of the other features (primary patch, tertial pattern, white in the outer tail), so I'd prefer to hear from someone with more experience than myself, although I'm sure you can tell from my comments that I'm not particularly impressed by the bird.
ethering 3 years ago