Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Vaux's Swift
Scientific name:	Chaetura vauxi
Date:	4/20/2018
Time:	3:10 pm
Length of time observed:	1 minute
Number:	1
Age:
Sex:
Location:	2100 E. Millstream Lane
County:
Latilong:
Elevation:	4300 ft.
Distance to bird:	closest at 50 feet
Optical equipment:	my eyes
Weather:	mid-60's, high clouds
Light Conditions:	filtered light
Description: Size of bird:	small
(Description:) Basic Shape:	swift
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	dark gray
(Description:) Bill Type:	not seen
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Unmistakable small swift, basic "cigar with wings" shape, stubby tail, short crescent-shaped wings. Bird appeared dark gray overall, and slightly paler underneath.
Song or call & method of delivery:	none
Behavior:	First noticed it as it flew low overhead with a rapid fluttering flight, interspersed with short glides. It quickly flew higher and away.
Habitat:	Heavily treed residential street paralleling Mill Creek stream.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Lack of white throat and small size eliminated White-throated Swift. Black Swift would be much larger, darker, with slower wingbeats. Could not definitively eliminate Chimney Swift with my brief eye view, but it is highly unlikely due to range. Swallows similar, but wing and tail shape eliminate all.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Very familiar with W-T Swift, and have viewed Vaux's and Black Swifts many times here in Utah and elsewhere in the West. Limited sightings of Chimney Swifts back East.
References consulted:	Sibley
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Joel Beyer
Observer's address:	Salt Lake City, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	5/14/2018
Additional material:
Additional comments: