At five inches (12.7 centimeters) long, with beige and yellow markings, the pine flycatcher does not look like much. However, it is not the bird's appearance that has birders excited. It is the pine flycatcher's first-time migration from Mexico and Guatemala into the United States. The bird, which appears to be alone, was first spotted in Texas in December 2008. It was seen again in January 2009. Although the pine flycatcher normally stays at high elevations, it was seen making its winter home in the low Texas scrubland. This area is about 200 miles (320 kilometers) north of its usual habitat. The sightings were confirmed by photographs of the bird and recordings of its chirping.
