This is a quick post to document the sighting of a Tropical Kingbird in San Francisco.
Date; 2nd October 2012. Time;10.25 – 10.45
Pacific. Weather was warm and fine with very little breeze.
The bird was seen in the bushes at the western end of the
pond at Crissy Field (Google Earth ref; 37°48'16.31"N 122°27'37.78"W).
It made sorties from here out onto the field as the grass mowers stirred up
insects from the field. It made three passes out across the field timing each
to coincide with the mower’s approach.
The belly was bright yellow, reaching up to the top of the
breast. Yellow faded into the upper breast without contrasting strongly with grey head. Brown
tail showed no evidence of white on the tip or the sides. The bill was larger
than Western or Cassin’s Kingbird. The pale cheeks were not highly contrasted
against the grey head. Green back could be seen as the bird perched.
No call was heard.
Full trip post to be published as soon as possible.
I just drove by Crissy field yesterday and wondered if Tropical Kingbirds ever pop in there. Guess I found out!
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