U.S. - South Texas Bird in Alabama? (1 Viewer)

[neonflamingo]

Amateur alert! I may be way off base, but I looked up this bird in my nifty Kaufman field guide and I think it looks like a Couch or Tropical Kingbird. That would be remarkable, because their range is supposedly south Texas. This one was on the Alabama Gulf Coast in a marshy area right on the Gulf of Mexico. He (?) was eating bugs.

Anyway, can anybody confirm or set me straight? Thanks for looking!

 

[KC Foggin]

Looks good for a Couch's for me.

 

[Birdingcraft]

Good bird! I also vote for Couch'- bill looks short for Tropical.

 

[jforb]

I wouldn't even think of separating Couch's and Tropical from this one shot.

 

[neonflamingo]

Thanks!

Thanks so much for all your responses. I actually watched this bird for quite a while so here's some more shots.

 

[streatham]

Doesn't the pale/white feathering on the outer edges of the tail make this a Western Kingbird? Looks pretty definitive to me. Still a nice find for Alabama.

 

[Jim M.]

My first impression was Western Kingbird. I think the subsequent photos confirm that. In addition to the white outer tail feathers (which I understand Cassin's can sometimes show), notice the dark, square (rather than notched) tail.

But still a good find as Streatham says.

I wouldn't even think of separating Couch's and Tropical from this one shot.

Sibley does say regarding Tropical and Couch's "reliably distinguished only by voice".

Best,
Jim

 

[Tero]

When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras. Pick the most common kingbird with white tail edges.

 

[neonflamingo]

Thanks again, everyone I didn't notice the white on the tail at first. Thanks for pointing that out. Still nice to see him in our neck of the woods!

 

[Birdingcraft]

Yes of course- Western!- what was I thinking? Regarding ID of Couch's vs. Tropical, its a bit like Willow and Alder flys- although voice is certainly the most reliable way to ID them, there are one or two other characteristics (this case bill length and habitat) that lean towards an ID while you wait for them to sing.