This afternoon I found and photographed what appears to be a hybrid Western x Eastern Kingbird at Bayview Harbour Marina in Port Rowan.
It looks very much like an Eastern Kingbird (dark back and cap, whitish throat, small bill, white band at tip of tail), but it has a light greyish chest, uniform yellow wash on its belly and underside of wings, white edge along the whole length of its outer tail feathers, seemingly lighter grey than the typical blackish upper parts of Eastern Kingbird, and an apparent 'mask' across its eyes slightly darker than the rest of its cap. There was a normal looking Eastern Kingbird present to compare it with (they appear to be a breeding pair). Their nest is likely in a thick patch of sumac in a wetland at the NE end of Bayview Harbour Marina, which is at the intersection of E Quarter Line Rd and Wolven St/Front Rd, slightly east of Port Rowan in Norfolk County. Seeing as this bird appeared to be tending to a nest, he or she will likely be around for a while. Jeremy Bensette and Emma Buck Belleville (for now) _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
