Western Kingbird I presume?

[MN Shutterbug]

I thought I had come back skunked a couple days ago. There is this area on the outskirts of town that is called Skunk Hollow. A creek runs thru and it's almost as deense as the north country. I remembered taking just a couple shots of a bird looking at me. However, I didn't think I even had a keeper. Lo and behold, here he was.

[buzzsaw]

Hi Mike, he looks like he's got his eye on you! I'm thinking its a Great Creasted Flycatcher, but I've been wrong before.

[MN Shutterbug]

That was my second thought. Now, the more I look at it, the more I'm leaning towards the Great Crested. The lack of the crest made me think otherwise, initially. Now, when I magnify the image, I can see a bit of roughness in the head. Also, the top of the head is more brown.

[Steve Foss]

Nice capture, XT.

Yep, great crested flycatcher. Good ID, buzz.

The GCF has a rufous tail, where the western KB has a black tail with white outer feathers, and the WKB has a distinct gray/black/white face and throat pattern. The GCF also tends to perch upright, while the WKB prefers a more horizontal plane most of the time.

[MN Shutterbug]

That's interesting about their perching habits. Thanks for confirming.

[buzzsaw]

They are in and around my backyard in the summertime and me and my kids have dubbed them "giant cricket birds" based on their call.

[Dbl]

Nice shot X.

[Steve Foss]

me and my kids have dubbed them "giant cricket birds" based on their call.

Good one, and right on the money!

[buzzsaw]