Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2016-10
| Common name: |
Vaux's Swift |
| Scientific name: | Chaetura vauxi |
| Date: | 5-10-2016 |
| Time: | 5:30pm |
| Length of time observed: | 30 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Swaner Nature Center, Park City |
| County: | Summit |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 6,300ft |
| Distance to bird: | Less than 6 feet at closest approach |
| Optical equipment: | Vortex 8X32 Binoculars, Canon SX50 hs Digital Camera |
| Weather: | Sunny, breezy, 50F |
| Light Conditions: | Excellent |
| Description: Size of bird: | 4.75 in |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | "Cigar with wings", short stout body and tail, wings longer than body |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Brownish overall, but with distinct paler throat and rump |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Tiny |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
First noticed a tiny brown swift with stiff wing beats mixed with Swallows.
Generally all brownish, with contrasting paler throat and rump. Very stubby tail
and stout wings. Smaller and shorter winged than all swallows present, which
were Tree, Barn, N. Rough-wings, Cliff and Violet-green. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none heard |
| Behavior: | Flying continuously over a creek feeding with many Swallows, often quite low, less than 10ft of the ground, sometimes going up to 30ft. |
| Habitat: | Wet meadows and marshland along a creek, next to large open fields, on the edge of town |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Chimney Swift is the only similar Swift, but are extremely rare east of the front range of the Rockies. From what I understand, they are larger, as large as a Violet-green Swallow, longer winged and darker, often not having the paler throat and rump. But these may all be speculative differences,except size, and range may be the biggest difference. If I'm wrong and its a Chimney Swift, that would great as it would be a lifer, so please let me know. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, saw Vaux's Swifts in Mexico in Feburary |
| References consulted: | 'Sibley Guide to Birds' D.A. Sibley 2014. |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 688 East 700 South #105, SLC, UT 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Matthew Pendleton, Vivian Schneggenburger, Nate Brown |
| Date prepared: | 5-10-2016 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |