Fast moving Gray Flycatcher in Point Loma

[All photographs copyright, Gary Nunn 2014] – I made a quick dawn patrol at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on 22 April 2014 and enjoyed seeing many nice migrants including multiple Hammond’s Flycatchers, Hermit Warblers, and Vaux’s Swifts to name some highlights. Along the west fence line, near the southwest corner of the cemetery, I came across this shy Gray Flycatcher Empidonax wrightii. It was very wary to my approach staying well out at long telephoto distance! I decided to train the big glass on it and hauled my 500 mm f/4.0 lens after it along the fence line. These were the best images I could obtain! Among the western Empidonax species I think the Gray Flycatcher is the most pleasant looking with its cooler colored, sort of blue-gray, plumage, its nicely rounded features, a strong bill, and elegant proportions, particularly looking at the short-winged appearance due to the short primary projection. This bird “tail-dipped” constantly, see last two images below, and did make short bouts of calling “whit” or “whip” as it moved through small trees and bushes along the fence line. To me the Gray Flycatcher seems to have a calmer demeanor than other Empidonax. It remains motionless for longer periods and then makes very direct forays for prey items returning to the same or a similar perch just a short distance ahead. These are very subtle behavioral cues to the identity of Empidonax in general but after studying many individuals you can build an understanding of who’s-who in this genus just by how they do things!

Gray Flycatcher - Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, San Diego County, California 22 April 2014

Gray Flycatcher – Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, San Diego County, California 22 April 2014

Gray Flycatcher - Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, San Diego County, California 22 April 2014

Gray Flycatcher – Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, San Diego County, California 22 April 2014

Gray Flycatcher - Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, San Diego County, California 22 April 2014

Gray Flycatcher – Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, San Diego County, California 22 April 2014

Gray Flycatcher - Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, San Diego County, California 22 April 2014

Gray Flycatcher – Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, San Diego County, California 22 April 2014

Gray Flycatcher - Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, San Diego County, California 22 April 2014

Gray Flycatcher – Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, San Diego County, California 22 April 2014

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