Willow or Alder Flycatchers, Female Scarlet Tanagers, Song Sparrows and Silver-bordered Fritillary of the Vermilon River. A Post to WBW.

 Alder or Willow Flycatcher.

Flycatchers are one of the hardest birds to identify because so little is known of them. The Least, the Alder, and the Willow all appear alike. This is not a Least Flycatcher because the chest area lacks the yellow tinge along the wing line. I'm certain it's not an Acadian, which is an endangered species because I'm out of its range, and it lacks the distinctive head. So that leaves the Willow and the Alder, which as Cornell says was the same species at one time. I think it's a Willow but I'm prepared to settle for either because as Cornell points out the bird call is the only certain way to know, and I didn't hear the call.

If this isn't difficult enough, the next photos are pictures of a female Scarlet Tanager, another first for me and the area. Now I just have to find the male and get him to pose. Are you ready for this one? Scarlet Tanagers, according to Wikipedia, are no longer members of the Tanager group, but now are in the Cardinal Group. Can you imagine being cut by your own group? I put the Song Sparrow in because I like them and they're still sparrows, at least for the remainder of the week. The Silver-bordered Fritillary was originally intended for an earlier post,but I forgot to put him in. I really like him also, despite the difficulty identifying him, so here he is.

Front View Willow or Alder Flycatcher.

Alder or Willow Flycatcher.

Scarlet Tanger.

Female Scarlet Tanger.

Female Scarlet Tanger.

Song Sparrow.

Song Sparrow.

Silver-bordered Fritillary.