Henry,

It is my understanding that it is really impossible to tell Couch's from
Tropicals in the field (and often impossible in the hand). The calls,
however, are quite distinct. Of the dozen or so Washington State records,
several have been heard vocalizing, and all of these have been Tropicals.
There are no Couch's Kingbird records, to the best of my knowledge anywhere
in the western half of the continent.

Gene Hunn.

At 11:15 AM 10/21/97 -0700, you wrote:
>I have noted the suggestion that the bird seen yesterday might be a Couch's
>Kingbird, unfortunately the bird did not vocalize during the observation
>period. I called the bird a Tropical Kingbird primarily due to previous
>reported sightings of this species during the winter and the observation of
>dark wings particularly the tips. Also, the color of the back was a
>grayish/olive rather than a brighter greenish color. I have no information
>regarding the sighting of a Couch's Kingbird in the Northwest. However, if
>someone can hear the bird and verify that it is a Couch's Kingbird I would
>be very happy to change my identification. A life bird would be great!
>
>Henry Gilmore
>Surfside, WA
>hgilmore at willapabay.org
>
>
>