Date: 12/21/24 5:55 pm From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: [NEBirds] Couch's Kingbird
Nebraska birders,
I traveled to North Platte on the morning of December 21 with hopes of
finding the Couch’s Kingbird. The weather was decent, cold but sunny. I
wasn’t in a big hurry since I was meeting Bonnie there around 11:30. When
I arrived at the Nelson home, I was greeted by Christine. Her husband Bob
was in their yard with Thane and Phil looking for the kingbird. It had
been seen earlier in the morning.
We all wandered around their yard and the neighbor’s looking and hoping to
see the bird. Randy, Paul and Bonnie arrived to help with the search. We
were excited when we saw a yellowish kingbird fly by and disappear behind
trees. It took forever to relocate it but finally Paul spotted it.
Naturally, the sunlight was behind it so the view was not good. We watched
it do its fly-catching maneuvers then it finally perched in a place with
better lighting. We all watched it for probably thirty minutes.
The yellow breast and belly seemed brighter than a Western Kingbird and it
extended up higher on its chest than it does on a Western Kingbird. There
was more white on its throat. The tip of its tail was slightly notched.
When I got a good look at its face, I could see the dark ear patch. It
looked a bit like a mask. I couldn’t tell for sure if its back was
greenish or grayish but I’m leaning towards greenish. I did not hear it
make any sounds but others did.
I feel confident that it is either a Couch’s or Tropical Kingbird. I’m
grateful to those who heard it and recorded it. The group effort
definitely identified it as a Couch’s Kingbird. Personally, I think that I
will count it on my lists with only a little hesitation.
Before heading back home, some of us stopped at the North Platte sewage
lagoon. We found the Long-tailed Duck and Barrow’s Goldeneye along with
many other ducks and geese. My personal tally is one life bird and two
Lincoln County birds. It was great to bird with friends on this wonderful
day!
