Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2012-12
| Common name: |
Eastern Phoebe |
| Scientific name: | Sayornis phoebe |
| Date: | April 20, 2012 |
| Time: | 9-10:30 AM |
| Length of time observed: | 3 x 10 mins |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | AHY |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Red Butte Canyon (Upriver from Red Butter Garden) |
| County: | Salt Lake |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | ~4500 feet |
| Distance to bird: | Observed from 100 to 20 meters |
| Optical equipment: | 10x42 Leica |
| Weather: | Clear Sunny and cool (40's) |
| Light Conditions: | Bright |
| Description: Size of bird: | Sayornis (smaller than Say's Phoebe) |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Sayornis (smaller than Say's Phoebe) |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Dark head and back with light colored underparts. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Straight insect eating |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
- Sayornis species - Darkest plumage on head (darkest on crown) - Brownish-black back - Lacked eye ring - Eye dark - All black bill (Lower mandible entirely black) - Dark face (Black/gray) - White throat to middle of belly to vent - Flanks faintly yellow to sides of belly - Tail long, notched, and dark on upper - Tail moved in waging, circular motion |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None heard |
| Behavior: | Actively feeding from short (2-4 feet) perches, occasionally dropping to ground and picking up food items, and then back up to a perch. |
| Habitat: | Grassy sedge meadow adjacent to Red Butte Creek and near water at a willow/grass edge. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
From Western Wood Peewee by lack of wingbars, larger, no yellow in lower bill,
lack of vested look, and timing of migration. From Willow Flycatcher by lack of wingbars and yellow in bill (bill shape). From other Empidonax, (Dusky, Hammonds, Gray) by lack of any eye ring and overall plumage colors; Western Flycatcher by lack of eye ring and yellow in bill. All above have bills of different color and size than E. Phoebe. From Black Phoebe by lack of extensive black and white pattern. From Say's Phoebe by lack of orangish wash in flanks and undertail coverts and overall plumage color. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Considerable in Eastern US. |
| References consulted: | Birds of North America Online |
| Description from: | Notes taken at time of sighting |
| Observer: | Jack Skalicky |
| Observer's address: | 511 First Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84103 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | skalicky@biochem.utah.edu |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: |
Jon Gale and Jason Socci |
| Date prepared: | 4-20 & finalized on 4-30 |
| Additional material: | None |
| Additional_Comments: | Notes translated directly from field notes. |