Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2011-27
| Common name: |
Least Flycatcher |
| Scientific name: | Empidonax minimus |
| Date: | 05/25/11 |
| Time: | 9:15 am |
| Length of time observed: | 2 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Utah County Southeast corner Provo Airport dyke road |
| County: | Utah |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 20 meters |
| Optical equipment: | 10x42 binocs 100mx400mm camera lens |
| Weather: | clear sunny |
| Light Conditions: | bright |
| Description: Size of bird: | small |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | compact |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | gray |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | small and triangular |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
A small Empidonax type flycatcher, Relatively rounded compact body, large
rounded head, short primary projections emphasizing a narrow tail. Overall
grayish on the back and light yellow on belly and flanks. Breast light grayish
white and throat white Eye ring bold, white and round. Bill short, triangular
with appox.equal length at the base Lower mandible showed some yellow but I
couldn't tell to what extent. Two contrasting white wing bars on dark gray to
black wing coverts. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | No song or call |
| Behavior: | Fidgety |
| Habitat: | Riparian area next to Utah lake |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Other empids eliminated primarily by bill size and large head appearance. Hammond's eliminated with it's narrower bill, longer primary wing tip projections and grayish throat. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
yes, Several sightings of least Flycatcher and numerous sightings other typical western Empidonax. |
| References consulted: | Field notes, Nat.Geo. Sibley |
| Description from: | Notes taken at time of sighting |
| Observer: | Terry Sadler |
| Observer's address: | 887 Germania Ave. Murray, Utah |
| Observer's e-mail address: | terrytoasteater |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 05-25-11 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: |