Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus), Ramsey Canyon, Cochise County

One Tufted Flycatcher was discovered at this location by an unknown observer on 16 April, and a second bird was confirmed on 04 May by Laurens Halsey, Dave Stejskal, et al. An adult was photographed by Tom Johnson on 04 May, and two juveniles were found and photographed by Chris Benesh on 24 July 2016.

There are three accepted records of Tufted Flycatcher in Arizona, with two additional pending reports from 2015, including a breeding pair in Ramsey Canyon, and one report from earlier this year of a bird lower in the canyon. These birds are in the same general area as last year's breeding pair and are presumably the same birds returning. Although a nest was built and attended in 2015, no evidence of offspring was ever found that year. The juveniles discovered in July 2016 were still being attended by a single worn adult.

Unmistakable small flycatcher with cinnamon underparts and a conspicuous crest. Juveniles with uniformly fresh plumage with buffy tipping to crest and back feathers.

04 May 2016, photo by Tom Johnson

 

24 July 2016, photo by Chris Benesh

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