| Common Name | Acadian Flycatcher |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Empidonax virescens |
| Type of Report | Rare Species |
| Date of Observation | 07/27/2023 |
| Media | |
| Number Observed | 1 |
| Reporting Observer's Name | David Guertin |
| Mailing Address | 1599 Route 30 Cornwall, VT 05753 United States Map It |
| Email hidden; Javascript is required. | |
| Date Completed | 07/27/2023 |
| Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 43.811395 |
| Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | -73.154504 |
| Place Name | Route 73 Bridge over Otter Creek |
| Township | Sudbury |
| County | Rutland |
| Vermont eBird Checklist URL | ebird.org |
| Time of Day | 07:15 AM |
| Length of Time Observed | 15 minutes |
| Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 150 |
| Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 20 |
| Noteworthy Weather Conditions | Overcast, light drizzle at the end of the observation period |
| Optical Equipment Used for Observation | Hawke Frontier ED X 8x42 binoculars |
| Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species | I have no previous acquaintance with this species, as I've never lived anywhere where these birds are common. |
| I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event. | |
| Description of Habitat | Riparian willows and silver maples at the edge of Otter Creek, adjacent to open marsh and riparian forest. |
| Behaviors Observed | The bird was mostly hiding in the trees and shrubs, but occasionally flew into view or perched in the open. Typical flycatching behavior as it flew out from a perch and flew back. |
| Description of Vocalizations | Intermittent loud, clear PEE-chu songs, quite unlike the expected Empids Least, Willow, or Alder, which I am very familiar with. |
| Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation | After looking unsuccessfully for this bird yesterday, I returned today and focused my attention around the west side of the Route 73 bridge. As soon as I arrived on foot, I heard very clear, repeated PEE-chu songs from about 50 feet away. These were quite distinct from the expected Least, Willow, or Alder Flycatchers. I made some audio recordings, then walked across the highway to get closer. The bird continued to sing, and I was able to get some quick glimpses of the bird as it flew from tree to tree. I was hoping to get a good look at the primary projection, but was unable to do so, so all I could tell visually was that it was an Empid with a clear eye ring. But the song clearly identified it as an Acadian Flycatcher. I stayed for 15 minutes catching occasional glimpses of the bird, after which it started raining, and the bird disappeared. |
| Relative Size & Shape | Typical Empid, small olive-green flycatcher with upright posture |
| Head | White throat, distinct eye ring |
| Wings | Two white wing bars. I could not see primary projection in the field, but one of the photos is suggestive of long primary projection. |
| IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different? | The obvious candidates are the other expected Empids: Least, Willow, and Alder, and also Eastern Wood-Pewee. I was able to get clear audio recordings that eliminated all of those possibilities. |
| Other Notes & Comments | First reported here 3 days ago on 2023-07-24, and reported by 4 other observers since then, though without conclusive recordings or photos. |
| This report was written from notes taken: | Immediately After |
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