A Great Crested Flycatcher comes down from the treetops

Amongst the American Robins, introduced European House Sparrows and the bright scarlet Northern Cardinals in this garden in Virginia appears a bird I’ve never seen before. It’s brightly coloured, with subtle lemon yellow underparts, elegantly proportioned, and has a huge 1980s hairstyle:

Great Crested Flycatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

It’s a Great Crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus. It’s a reclusive bird of the treetops so I’m delighted it’s come to head height. Maybe it’s come for the ripe berries on these trees:

Great Crested Flycatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

I search for Audubon’s illustration and am rewarded with a delightful image.

Great Crested Flycatcher - Audubon

It still doesn’t beat having seen the real thing.

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