When 1st seen, we were not familiar with Variegated Flycatcher, and initially we went with the default ID of Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, the only similar flycatcher illustated in NA guides at the time. We questioned the ID, as did Jerry Drewry who saw it on the 15th of May, 1984. After talking with other folks, Daniel Jacobson suggested it might be Variegated, which got us going down the right track.

We had great looks at the bird, for about 30 minutes, from 10-20 yards distance. Luckily, my father got photos that allowed the ID to be decided without question. My father, myself, and Don Manning, the 3 discoverers, took the photos to LSU where we met with Dr.'s Remsen and O'Neill, who confirmed the identification against skins in their extensive collection.

At the time, this was the 2nd record for the ABA record, following the 1977 record from Maine.


In this image, among other things, the pale base of the lower mandible can be seen, as well as some rufous on the uppertail coverts (just visible), the mottled effect of the back is also apparent. All of these helped to eliminate the most similar species, Piratic Flycatcher.