Re: [mou-net] Kingbird thought

[Bruce Fall]

The Murphy-Hanrehan kingbird is an adult in advanced pre-basic molt. The 
feathers that appear worn (including outer primaries, outer rectrices) 
are likely 11-12 months old and their worn and faded appearance is 
typical of feathers that age. Photographic evidence shows there were 4 
worn, old outer primaries (p7-10) on 24 June, and only 3 (p8-10) on 27 
June (thus p8 was dropped after 24 June); the inner ones are new, 
growing, or missing. On 6/24 the kingbird had only 7 old (worn) 
rectrices (outer 3 right, 4 left) out of 12 total; the inner 5 are 
partly grown or missing. The likelihood that this insectivore has been 
raised as a captive for a couple years seems very remote to me. On the 
other hand, there is a pattern of vagrancy north and east of the normal 
breeding ranges of both Tropical (especially) and Couch's (and 
unidentified Tropical/Couch's) kingbirds. An eBird search will verify 
this. See also 
https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/nab/v052n01/p00006-p00011.pdf

Bruce Fall, Minneapolis
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