Wintering Red-breasted Flycatcher (1 Viewer)

[DimitarD95]

Hello! I took documentary photos of an interesting winter visitor - Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva), observed during the Midwinter Waterfowl Census . The bird was spotted from in Nevestino village, Kyustendil district, Western Bulgaria on 18.01.2025. It was in apparently in good condition, looking for insects. The question is could it be a Taiga Flycatcher according to the features that uppertail coverts are blacker than uppertail. Otherwise it seems that there is pale buff breast instead of darker and not so white throat. Thanks in advance!

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Nice seasonal find, 1st-w Red-breasted Dimitar.

Grahame

 

[lou salomon]

Hi Graham, could you please tell how you exclude Taiga Flycatcher on these pics, please? Is the evenly pale breast outside variation for Taiga? I couldn't tell bill colour from thes e pics either.

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Hi Graham, could you please tell how you exclude Taiga Flycatcher on these pics, please? Is the evenly pale breast outside variation for Taiga? I couldn't tell bill colour from thes e pics either.

Rather warm upperparts, even buff wash to throat and breast + bill looks rather pale. One cannot judge the precise tone of the utc's but the 'dark' is far too extensive + wrong shape, compare 4292 and 4298 so, dark is largely artefact IMO. Some Taiga's appear warmer toned, such individuals can display more fulvous tones typically restricted to sides and/or lower flanks.

Grahame

 

[lou salomon]

Thanks.