Hi Joel (and others)-

You may wish to look at photos on this web site: 
http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/Flycatchers.html
as it shows a Hammond's with rather extensive yellow-orange lower mandible (but with dark tip) much like Monkton bird 

I know we were a bit confused by this as well, hence our comments in my post Thursday, but after looking at our rather extensive collection of Empid ID material gathered for our DC Dusky FC submittal last year (which includes photos taken by MD/DCRC at Smithsonian of Hammond's) it appears that this feature is somewhat variable. Since Thursday I found other web-based photos of Hammond's showing similar bill coloration -- these may all be YOY birds, they are usually not aged in the photos.

Primary extension, bill size and shape (esp. from below), and a number of other features of plumage, body size and shape, etc. all have to be considered when looking at these fall empids. Having such great photos sure helps. (Thanks to all the photographers for their efforts with this bird!)

Gail Mackiernan
Colesvilel, MD


<snip>.
> 
> I would be interested in hearing what some of the empid experts say about the 
> extensive, or near complete, orange lower mandible. Kaufmann does mention 
> that young Hammond's may have more light color there.
> 

> 
> Joel Martin
> Catonsville, MD
>