Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) at Alligator River NWR, Dare Co., NC

Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens)

This bird was found on 9 December 2001 by a group from the Blue Ridge Bird Club and initially identified as a Great Crested Flycatcher. A closer look during the Alligator River Christmas Bird Count on 12/16 revealed it to be an Ash-throated Flycatcher. These birds are usually one-day wonders in N.C., but this one has settled in for a while. The bird spends much of its time back in the woods, out of sight, reportedly eating Smilax berries. At 11 am on 12/28/2001 it flew out of the woods into the weeds and I managed to take a few quick shots before it disappeared again.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.