Fork-tailed Flycatcher at LosFresnos, 12/14/18

Back in October a Fork-tailed Flycatcher was seen by many as it spent a few days east of Rio Hondo.  I had visiting in-laws at the time and had already seen the Southmost Preserve bird years ago so I didn't make the effort to go over and see it.  Well another (or possibly the same one) was found by Bobz World just east of Los Fresnos so I figured I had better see this one before it was gone.  I took a half dozen passes along Share 27 Rd and saw calling Tropical and Couch's Kingbirds but not their tropical cousin.  But I thought it was probably hang out with kingbirds so I kept trying and eventually found the Fork-tailed Flycatcher low in a mesquite.

It is thought that most of the fall Fork-tailed Flycatchers found across North America are of of the nominate South American subpecies savana and are reverse austral migrants.  Meaning that instead of flying south to their breeding areas after the austral winter (our summer), they have gone north instead.  But this bird has pale edges to the wing coverts indicating a fresh molt and a pale mantle.  According to Steve Howell's "Rare Birds of North America" this would then be the Mexican subspecies monachus which is found south of the Isthmus into Central America.  Most ornithologist say the two subspecies can only be truly separated by examining the primary emarginations.  Maybe they will figure it out someday.