Greetings All

Ned Johnson, as brilliant as he was, was not omniscient. Without taking 15
min to dig through my file cabinet, my recollection is that he had no (or just
one or two) specimens for genetic analysis from se. WA/ne. OR. Hardly a
significant sample. So, the answer is, we have little to no idea what inhabits the
Blue Mtns based on genetics.

I am not an ornithologist, but my field experience and the research done by
Gene Hunn and Dick Cannings leads me to fully agree with Gene that Pac Slope
and Cordilleran Flycatchers are one species.

That doesn't mean they are not separate subspecies. This seems highly likely.
And is often the case with subspecies (or closely related species), there are
some individuals that are "tweeners" and can't be reliably categorized. But
there are almost always individuals that are "typical" as well. Just look at
flickers.

So, I think some of the Blue Mtn birds can be "named." Indeed, Gene, you
reported a Cordilleran at a state park (forget name) near the Blues a year or two
back -- based on calls/song. Then there are birds that defy labelling. So be
it.

As with brant, flickers, Yellow-rumped warblers, etc, I still think it is
worth trying to ID these birds when we can (and admitting it when we can't).

By the way, though there may be some average differences in appearance
between Cordilleran and PS Flycatcher (mostly intensity of coloration), the
consensus among those who've looked at specimens and looked at the birds widely across
their range is that there is complete overlap and that even average
differences are quite subtle.

Cheers
Steven Mlodinow
Everett WA