FOS: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and MacGillivray's Warbler!

We banded 35 new birds and had 22 recaptures of 14 different species.  The low number of birds was expected due to southerly winds overnight.  Despite the low numbers, we did get two new species for the fall season:  Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and a MacGillivray's Warbler.  The MacGillivray's Warbler is western warbler species who's breeding range does not extend east of the Rocky Mountains.  This a rare bird indeed!  In fact, I believe this is the first record of this species in South Carolina!



MacGillivray's Warbler (HY, female)

When I first pulled this bird out of the bag, I thought it was a Mourning Warbler but quickly realized that something was not right.  Below is a series of photos that highlights and explains the important characteristics that led us to the MacGillivray's Warbler conclusion.  


Broad, white eye-arcs.  In HY Mourning Warblers, the broken eye ring is narrow and comes closer together at the front of the eye. 

The undertail coverts cover roughly half of the tail.  In Mourning Warbler, the undertail coverts would extend much further down the tail. 

    

Whitish throat and complete grayish hood.  In HY Mourning Warblers, the throat would be yellowish and the breast band would be broken. 

This poor Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was outshined by the MacGillivray's Warbler but deserves a moment in the spotlight too.   

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (HY, sex unknown)

It was kind of strange to not band a Common Yellowthroat today.  In fact, we didn't even catch a Common Yellowthroat until the very last net run of the day. 

- Aaron

   
NEW BIRDS
1 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
3 Eastern Phoebe
2 House Wren
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Swainson's Thrush
20 Gray Catbird
1 Northern Parula
1 Palm Warbler (Western)
1 MacGillivray's Warbler
2 Painted Bunting
2 House Finch

RECAPTURES
16 Gray Catbird
1 Nashville Warbler
2 Common Yellowthroat
2 Northern Cardinal

BANDING STATS
# of Birds Banded:  35
# of Recaptures:  21
# of Species:  14
Effort:  99.6 net-hours
Capture Rate:  56.2 birds/100 net-hours
# of Nets:  20