Melanistic Brown-crested Flycatcher - China Ranch

Observers: Debbie House
Email: roadkill23@earthlink.net
Date: 05/25/2008
Time: 11:08 PM -0400

I photographed a "melanistic" Brown-crested Flycatcher at China Ranch this morning. After reading a recent article in Birding, I think I am more confused about the proper term for the aberrant plumage this bird was sporting - but this bird was basically black. The rust in the primaries and tail (at least mostly) was present. The bill was very black. This bird was paired with a normally-plumaged bird and seen collecting nesting material. Their territory is right behind the gift shop.