Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2006-13(R82)
(Transcribed by M. G. Moody)
| Common name: |
Least Flycatcher |
| Scientific name: | Empidonax minimus |
| Date: | 11 June 82, 12 June 82 |
| Time: | 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm; 7:30 am to 8:00 am |
| Length of time observed: | |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | fresh - not worn - adult |
| Sex: | - |
| Location: | 320 Gordon Ln., Murray, Utah - in the cottonwoods along side Cottonwood Creek |
| County: | |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 30-75 feet - measured visually |
| Optical equipment: | Bushnell 10x50 binoculars |
| Weather: | |
| Light Conditions: | Partly cloudy with good light under full canopy of foliage |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Bird was first head calling "che-Bek" repeatedly. Individual recognized as
flycatcher in empidonax group by compact size, white eye ring, short bill,
grayish brown back and throat light, breast olive not yellow and tail slightly
forked not rounded or square, light wing bars. The only other birds it even slightly resembled were the western & the gray flycatchers. But after having seen hundreds of both I just couldn't call it either. I can't stress the voice quite enough in this case. "che-Bek" !! Unfortunately I wrote the above description after observing and not during. A few hours later, around 6 pm 11 Jun 82. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | The bird was calling from a perch. It sounded to me like "che-Bek" or chebek. At times it was definetly two parted with heavy emphasis on the last syllable, stressed a "beK". The "K" very clearly heard. Loud & persistent. |
| Behavior: | The bird was first noticed by its repetitive call which I interpreted as "che-Bek". Upon seeing the bird flying out form a perch and hawking insects, I decided to look at it closer. After one hour of observation (15 min total over the 1 hr. span) the bird appeared to stay within an area about 75 x 200feet. Constantly flycatching and calling its two part call. |
| Habitat: | residential area, planted lawn on both sides of Cottonwood Creek approx. 100 x 300 feet in size. Mature cottonwood trees in full foliage presenting a 75% canopy. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Willow flycatcher - voice & habitat, eye ring not a round tail Western flycatcher - voice, belly was not as yellow, didn't flick wings Hammond's flycatcher - voice & habitat Dusky flycatcher - voice & habitat Gray flycatcher - voice & habitat, bird wasn't gray |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
No prior exp w/ E.minimus. However I have exp in identifying the other Empidonax group I have listed. |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | Notes made after. (and habitat description from memory) |
| Observer: | Brad Stovall |
| Observer's address: | P.O. Box 1371 Susanville, CA 96130 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |