May 2014 – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
I was a bit surprised to see this bird… at the very western edge of its range. I’d always associated them with, well… the eastern part of the US. But, here it is, and apparently well documented as it has a band on its leg.
Eastern Kingbird
May 2014 – Pueblo Mountains, Oregon
This bird made only a brief appearance along Little Cottonwood Creek. While this seemed an unusual place to find this bird… it’s similar to the Western Wood Pewee, but note the slightly white buffed area on the back. It would be easier to identify from the other side.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
May 2014 – Cottonwood Canyon – John Day River, Oregon
Gray Flycatcher
If you stand below a lone tree in a canyon, pretty soon something will appear. And so it did.
There are about 4 species of Flycatcher that look very similar. I’ve deduced this is a Gray Flycatcher, but wouldn’t be surprised if I got that wrong.
May 2014 – Cottonwood Canyon – John Day River, Oregon
Western Kingbird
Saw a few pairs of these… they always seem to be in pairs.
Black Phoebe
May 2013, Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, OR
I didn’t realize how common these birds are in Ankeny Wildlife Refuge, which is just south of Salem, OR. If you look at most guidebooks, they’ll tell you the range of the Black Phoebe extends just barely along the coast of southern Oregon. Apparently, those need to be updated.
Black Phoebe
May 2011 – Shore Acres State Park, OR
While this is a fairly common bird in some parts of the US, I hadn’t seen one prior to this occasion in Shore Acres state park, on the southern Oregon coast. Often when I spot a new bird, I’ll get pretty excited – like I just made a new discovered. Later, when I look them up, it’s more of a ho-hum experience. Still, it’s fun to see new things.
A few of these birds were flying around some bushes, catching flies in the air and such. I was having a hard time focusing on them (and just missed an amazing mid-air fly-grabbing shot!), so this one was the best I could do – not exactly a natural setting on some brick tiles, but that’s ok.
Great Kiskadee
February 2013 – Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
I’m pretty sure this is a Great Kiskadee and not a Boat-billed Flycatcher (the two look very similar), as I have a few other images in this series that help with the identification… (though, I’ll have to say that the bill on this one looks more like the Boat-billed). Anyway, neat bird.
Social Flycatcher
February 2013, Santa Elena, Costa Rica
There are a few birds that all have this same general appearance, and it can be a challenge to figure out which is which… but I think I have this one right.
July 2012 – Frenchglen, OR
This pair of Ash-throated Flycatchers appeared to be working on a nest, just outside the town of Frenchglen, OR. I’m pretty sure I have the ID correct on these… they’re a little similar to a Western Kingbird, but the tail is brown, and they have more of a crest.
Western Wood-Pewee
May 2005 – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
I’m pretty sure this is a Western Wood-Pewee… at least that’s my best guess. It’s a little difficult to identify birds like this, and this is not the best photograph.