Semicollared Flycatcher? (1 Viewer)

[TWM]

In the garden at Rattray Head.
The extra wing bar plus grey nape had me wondering.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Very striking bird that TWM! I'm far from an expert on Ficedula flycatchers, but if you have any more images showing the tail this may assist others more knowledgeable - that outer-most tail feather looks all white to me in the second image?

 

[TWM]

When it flew the outer tail feathers were very obvious.
The main problem against Semi is the white patch on the wing is not extensive enough.

 

[TWM]

A photo of it from a friend

 

[KenM]

When it flew the outer tail feathers were very obvious.
The main problem against Semi is the white patch on the wing is not extensive enough.

Degrees of overlap with this group however, it seems to agree more with SCF on most points ie. “long” white outer-tail margin, median covert bar and reduced white to the tertial webbing?

Cheers

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Just of interest, it may be worth having a look at this thread on the Waxham Ficedula from a few years ago. There are some photos here, which seem to show a complementary set of plumage features to the bird you have observed.
I don't know what happened with the record in the end.

I hope this helps, and that some of the much more experienced members chip in at some point.

 

[TWM]

Another couple of photos.
The bird was still present at 18.25.

 

[kuzeycem]

Not seeing any reasons why this wouldn't simply be a E. Pied, which occasionally show narrower tertial edges such as this - see: ML267277161 European Pied Flycatcher Macaulay Library, ML480155831 European Pied Flycatcher Macaulay Library. Primary patch perfect for Pied, while 2nd wing bar is normal for 1st winters in all 3 sp.
Semicollared is usually paler and greyer on upperparts and with slightly paler centres to wing feathers and uppertail coverts, so overall a less contrasting bird.
Anyways, definitely not an easy group and worth trying to get a voice recording next time you face an interesting bird.

 

[TWM]

Not seeing any reasons why this wouldn't simply be a E. Pied, which occasionally show narrower tertial edges such as this - see: ML267277161 European Pied Flycatcher Macaulay Library, ML480155831 European Pied Flycatcher Macaulay Library. Primary patch perfect for Pied, while 2nd wing bar is normal for 1st winters in all 3 sp.
Semicollared is usually paler and greyer on upperparts and with slightly paler centres to wing feathers and uppertail coverts, so overall a less contrasting bird.
Anyways, definitely not an easy group and worth trying to get a voice recording next time you face an interesting bird.

Neither of those have the second wing bar or brown tertials, but as you say not a simple ID

 

[kuzeycem]

Neither of those have the second wing bar or brown tertials, but as you say not a simple ID

I didn't say the 2nd wing bar was present in every bird. As for browner tertials I said that for Semi., not Pied.

 

[rosbifs]

I'm not anything near an expert here but there is definitely a second wing bar..... Which in theory doesn't exist in a normal Pied.... I would add that nothing on a quick google search for 'Pied' resembles this bird.

I can only add that we have had an 'explosion' on Mediterranean birds way north of their normal migration routes and those that have 'staged' for a number of days.

I think you need to double check everything as this year anything is possible.

 

[TWM]

The bird has been there since Sunday 4th

 

[KenM]

Neither of those have the second wing bar or brown tertials, but as you say not a simple ID

Most of the images appear to show “brown” inner tertials, how relevant is this feature to SCF, presume not exclusive….cos if it is?

Cheers