Empid ID Help

[Reed Gorner]

Hi all,

I found this flycatcher at Main Reservoir in Lakewood around 12:00.  It strikes me as a Willow Flycatcher because of the brownish back and thin eye ring along with the pale sides. I am also considering Alder Flycatcher as a possibility because of the thin bill and prominent wingbars even though it would be quite rare in the area. I tentatively ruled out Hammonds Flycatcher because of the brown, not grayish, head. If anyone has any ideas on the identification of this flycatcher it would be very helpful. 

Thanks, Reed Gorner

Lakewood CO 

    

[Reed Gorner]

Eric Storms suggested I try and ID the call. But sadly the bird wasn't making any noise. I asked some other birder friends that live in the east and the genral consensus was that the bill looks off for a willow flycatcher. I would like to have some other opinions before calling it an alder.

[David Tønnessen]

Reed,

The very narrow, round eye-ring, uncontrasting gray throughout, nicely rounded head and long thin bill give it a Gray Flycatcher feel to me. Neither traill's flycatcher fits your bird's structure or color.

David Tonnessen