Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Tropical Kingbird
Scientific name:	Tyrannus melancholicus
Date:	10/14/2019
Time:	16:14
Length of time observed:	10 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	HY
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Hela Seegmiller Farm
County:	Washington
Latilong:	37.063941, -113.528059
Elevation:	Approx 2700 ft.
Distance to bird:	30 feet
Optical equipment:	Binoculars
Weather:	Clear
Light Conditions:	Late afternoon light with sun slightly starting to set behind bird.
Description: Size of bird:	Robin-sized
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Large chunky kingbird, big headed
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Bright yellow, gray, grayish green
(Description:) Bill Type:	Long and heavy
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Bright yellow belly, yellow extending all the way up chest (no gray on upper chest). Long heavy bill. Dark gray ear patch. Grayish green on back. White throat and malar. Dark brownish tail. Other identifying features (such as the feather length) were brought to my attention later from other observers viewing photos online (described more fully below). (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Silent (for me and for all observers over the next week).
Behavior:	Perching on fence posts, sallying out to catch large insects, returning to perch.
Habitat:	Open agricultural field.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Eliminated Western and Cassin's Kingbirds due to extent of bright yellow all the way up chest (no gray on upper chest). This became a question of Tropical versus Couch's. A vocalization would probably have clinched the ID fairly quickly, but the bird was reportedly silent for all observers in the field. In all the discussions and feedback received online, nobody seemed to favor Couch's, mainly due to the bill length and shape. Range favored Tropical more, since they are known to migrate north along the Pacific coast, but this couldn't be completely relied upon. The following response was given online by Peter Pyle, who authored the Identification Guide for North American Birds (1997): "This appears to be an HY Tropical Kingbird. The bill is large and p10 seems to be clearly shorter than p5. It has suspended the preformative molt after the tertials and most to all secondary coverts were replaced, which is typical of TRKIs at this time of year from northern-breeding populations. Once it reaches its winter grounds (or maybe before this), it will start an 'eccentric' molt of primaries, beginning with a middle feather and proceeding outward. At this time all primaries are juvenile, as indicated by the shape of the outer primary, p10. Its broad shape and the smallish bill for TRKI (males can have monster bills) I believe makes this likely a female, but best to leave sex unknown. . . Incidentally, I also commented on a UT kingbird back in 2012 (message on Frontiers dated 16 Nov 2012). That bird seemed similar to this one in many respects." Shane Brown - "Primary formula: outers are closer in length, making for a square wingtip shape. Favors Tropical."
Previous experience with this & similar species:	None with Tropical and Couch's. Western Kingbird is seen regularly throughout the summer here, and Cassin's occasionally in more remote areas.
References consulted:	First sighting in Wisconsin Specimens at Cornell Laboritory
Description from:	From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Holden Green
Observer's address:	668 N. 1620 W. Circle, St. George, Utah 84770
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	No field observers were able to completely distinguish between Tropical and Couch's Kingbird. Independent ID was done mainly by experts viewing photos online. Joshua Smith, David Tonnessen, Dave Irons, Michael Retter, Shane Brown, and Peter Pyle all gave feedback favoring Tropical Kingbird over Couch's
Date prepared:	10/18/2019
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	Mike Schijif will be sending the photos for this.