Forwarded as requested:

  _____  

From: Brenda Tekin [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 2:24 AM
Subject: Somerset Kingbird


Is there a way for the following to be posted to the MDOsprey
listserve?
 
Thank you.
 
Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
 
 
 
Kingbird - Somerset Co.  - December 30, 2006
Gordy Adamski from Waynesboro, VA and I departed Charlottesville, VA
at 6:30 a.m., arriving in Somerset County by 11 a.m.  Due to lack of
detailed directions and coupled with not being familiar with the area,
we ended up at Redden Ferry Road Estates.  As luck would have it, we
crossed paths with Jim and Cheryl (THANK YOU AGAIN!) from Salisbury
who also had made a wrong turn.  Luckily they had the Maryland Delorme
atlas and after reorientating, they led us to the site hosting the
reported Tropical Kingbird.  
 
The bird was quickly located and for the next several hours, was
observed actively feeding.  No vocalization was heard.  One
interesting observation was color of the inside of mouth.  I'm not
sure if it was the lining or the tongue but it was salmon/rosy pink!  
 
Here are a few key points during our observation.  

*	Bright yellow belly extending to undertail covert with pale
grayish band across upper chest that was almost non-existent in bright
light 

*	Pronounced notched tail 

*	Inside of mouth salmon pink in color or was it the tongue?
Or, was it a berry?  Color reminded me that of brightly colored
salon-pink of Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.   

*	Gray face and head 

*	Gray back with olive-green wash 

*	Iris appeared pale tan with dark brown pupil 

*	In good light, brownish tail appeared to cast a faint reddish
tint. 

*	Primaries appeared broad, lacking notching, indicating a
juvenile 

*	extensive whitish edging to the tertials and secondaries.

A few pictures have been linked to the following web site:
 
http://www.pbase.com/brendatekin
 
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------
Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
 
"Leave behind what you find; if you must take something, take
pictures."
 
Digital Photography, including Birds of Virginia:
http://www.birdsofvirginia.com