November 19th, 2005. South East Street, South Amherst, MA.


Western Kingbird
Tyrannus verticalis.

First reported around the Brookfield Trail in South Amherst by Lila Gierasch and John Pylant. Rather less distinctive than the bird seen in South Amherst on September 3rd. The white in the outer retrices was especially difficult to see on this bird, as was the gray upper breast. The underparts looked very yellow, even at distance. As shown in the first image, the bird also displayed a fairly clear notch in the tail. Can other tyrannus flycatchers be ruled out at this stage?
Images taken using Canon Powershot A-95 through Swarovski HD telescope.

















Distant profile shot. The bird appeared late in the afternoon and
stayed in the higher branches during the whole observation.






South Amherst Western Kingbird, September 3rd.
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