Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2004-43
| Common name: |
Least Flycatcher |
| Scientific name: | Empidonax minimus |
| Date: | 5/29/04 |
| Time: | 6:30 p.m. |
| Length of time observed: | 30 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Riverdale Parkway |
| County: | Weber |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 15 to 30 feet |
| Optical equipment: | Pentax 8x42 Binoculars, Pentax 10x42 Binoculars, Bausch & Lomb Discoverer Zoom Scope |
| Weather: | Partly cloudy with a slight breeze |
| Light Conditions: | Good, evening sun |
| Detailed description of bird: |
Typical empidonax coloring (olive head and back, pale yellow wash on upper
breast, white underparts, white wing bars, etc.) Noticable small body size Small rounded head, which appeared somewhat flat on top (i.e. no discernable crest) Complete white round eye ring, which when combined with the small head made the eye appear quite large |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Distinctive "che-bek" song, heard 4 or 5 times in a 30 second period, otherwise the bird was silent. |
| Behavior: | Perched quietly on the low bushes near the river, with occasional forays for insects. |
| Habitat: | Riverside riparian area. Bird was in a relatively open area with grass, low bushes and a few small trees next to the river. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Pacific-slope, Cordilleran, Hammond's, and Dusky Flycatchers all have
almond-shaped eye rings. Willow Flycatcher's eye ring is not as bold. All the above flycatchers have proportionally larger and crested heads. Gray Flycatcher is larger and not as olive. The Least Flycatcher's song distinguishes it from all others. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Numerous sightings in the northeast, midwest, and Texas as well as a few previous sightings in Utah. Abundant experience with the common flycatchers in Utah. |
| References consulted: | Sibley and National Geographic |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | Joel and Kathy Beyer |
| Observer's address: | 1719 Hillcrest Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | twobirders@juno.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 11/13/04 (General Public) |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |