Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2017-39


Common name:

Least Flycatcher

Scientific name: Empidonax minimus
Date: 06-07-2017
Time: 11am
Length of time observed: 15 minutes
Number: 1
Age: Adult
Sex: Male presumably-singing
Location: Weber River Parkway trail-41.241x-112.021
County: Weber
Latilong: [-41.241x-112.021]
Elevation:  4300
Distance to bird: 3 meters at closest
Optical equipment: Vortex 8.5X32 Binoculars
Weather: Sunny,warm
Light Conditions: 85F
Description:        Size of bird: 5.25in
(Description:)       Basic Shape: Typical empid
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: overall olive brown
(Description:)            Bill Type: Small
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
IDed primarily by its call: Repeated mechanical Chib-ik

Also noted small size, orange lower mandible, round eyering, short primary projection.

According to Kris Purdy, who originally found and reported this bird,there was a Least Flycatcher on territory in the exact same location June 2016.
(see photo)
Song or call & method of delivery: Repeated mechanical Chib-ik   ( audio - eBird Checklist)
Behavior: Calling from high in the canopy of cottonwoods
Habitat: Dense cottonwood-willow corridor along the Weber River
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
No other empid makes the same call
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
Yes, many
References consulted: Memory
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: Kris Purdy and Taylor Abbot had seen it a few days earlier
Date prepared: 6-9-17
Additional material: Photos
Additional comments: eBird checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37451695