Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2020-27
| Common name: |
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher |
| Scientific name: | Tyrannus forticatus |
| Date: | August 12, 2020 |
| Time: | 11:30 |
| Length of time observed: | 5 mins |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | female/Juvenile |
| Location: | Just west of the town of Rush Valley on hwy 199 mm 17.5 |
| County: | Tooele |
| Latilong: | ? |
| Elevation: | appx 5000 feet |
| Distance to bird: | 30 feet at the closest |
| Optical equipment: | swarovski 10x42 EL binos |
| Weather: | hot and clear |
| Light Conditions: | good |
| Description: Size of bird: | similar to western kingbird |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | shape and posture similar to kingbird but longer tail |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | whitish |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
I was driving along hwy 199 toward Rush Valley and drove past the bird. It was
sitting on the fence on the north side of the road. Immediately recognized it as
a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher so I slammed on the brakes and turned around. We
watched it for a few minutes and then tried to get a bit closer for a iphone
photo but before we got a pic it flew across the road and did not stop again. I
went back about an hour later with my real camera hoping for a photo but could
not relocate the bird. It was nearly completely white on the head and body with just a slight pinkish wash on the belly. Wings and tail were black. The tail was not as long as an adult male would have, but still appeared longer than the tail of a similar size bird. The tail appeared forked even while it was sitting, but when it flew the it fanned the tail and made a beautiful forked V shape as it flew over. [Photos taken by Suzi Holt] |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | Sitting on a wire fence - typical for this species |
| Habitat: | The north side of the road (where the bird was sitting) was a grazed field with short, dry grass. The south side was mostly junipers. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Much whiter head and body than Western & other tyrannus flycatchers. Long, forked tail is also diagnostic for this species. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Lots of experience with this species in Texas and other states |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | From memory |
| Observer: | Bryan Shirley |
| Observer's address: | 1465 South 50 West |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | J. Shirley and Talon Shirley |
| Date prepared: | August 13, 2020 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |