Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Family

A pair of Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers was feeding a stub-tailed, stub-billed fledgling this afternoon above the ‘warbler pool’ in upper Madera Canyon. Given the usual early-autumn departure of this species from the Arizona Sky Islands, I was surprised to see a family group with so young a youngster still in tow, but the new Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas (great, great book!) notes adults feeding young as late as September 10.

We were able to enjoy this domestic scene until nearly dusk, when the fledgling’s eyes grew noticeably heavy and its begging squeals less importunate; unfortunately, we didn’t get to find out whether it roosted in a cavity or in the open, but it was a fine way to say goodbye for the season to one of southeast Arizona’s most “special” specialties.