Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Eastern Phoebe
Scientific name:	Sayornis phoebe
Date:	6 & 7 April 2022
Time:	ca. 12:30 pm
Length of time observed:	ca. 5 minutes, on/off (1st day)
Number:	1
Age:	adult?
Sex:	?
Location:	Along surplus canal between Indiana Ave and I-215, Salt Lake City
County:	Salt Lake
Latilong:	40.74943, -111.95075
Elevation:	ca. 4215 feet
Distance to bird:	ca. 30 feet at the closest
Optical equipment:	Leica 10x42 trinovid binocs
Weather:	Sunny but cool. Breezy.
Light Conditions:	Good.
Description: Size of bird:	A bit smaller than a Say's phoebe
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Typical Sayornis shape
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Dusky gray above, pale below
(Description:) Bill Type:	Thin and black like a Say's phoebe
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Here are my comments from my eBird list submitted for the first day I saw it (CHECKLIST S106414097): "Found just south of the little phragmites-choked ditch-canal on the east bank of the main canal. It was very skittish and flew from perch to perch (chain-link fence to tall weed to nearby tree then all the way to the other side of the field to a weed-tree thicket adjacent to I-215). The field I saw it in is located at 40.74943, -111.95075. This is in the stretch between Indiana Avenue and I-215. -- overall shape like a very small and thin Say's phoebe -- head long and gently rounded in a flat sort of way (like a Say's phoebe) with no hint of a crest -- head and face dark (blackish gray) -- back gray -- tail brownish gray (i.e. just a hint of warmer tones) -- throat bright white -- I did not see the breast well other than the flanks, but it was either white or whitish (definitely no rufous or salmon tones) -- bill thin and black like a Say's phoebe -- no eyering -- no wing bars -- constantly wagging its long, thin tail in a fairly leisurely way, often in a vaguely circular or figure-8 motion -- posture a hint more horizontal compared to something like an Empid or wood-pewee, but the breeze may have affected that" It was photographed by Lauri later. I will try to get her to submit a photo. I saw it again with others the next day (Apr 7th) around 12:30 PM. Here's what I wrote in that eBird checklist (CHECKLIST S106545579): "Continuing since yesterday (when I saw it well). Today I only got the briefest of looks on a tree on the west bank (where Lauri & Viv had seen it earlier in the day). My view today consisted of a backlit bird, showing the phoebe silhouette not much larger than the Song sparrows around it (though longer & lankier). It was wagging its tail in that circular way of the bird seen yesterday. We saw it when first arriving, then never again. This bird is really shy and departs the scene quickly at the approach of humans (never even got close to it today)."
Song or call & method of delivery:	None heard.
Behavior:	Constantly wagging its long, thin tail in a fairly leisurely way, often in a vaguely circular or figure-8 motion. It was very skittish and flew from perch to perch (chain-link fence to tall weed to nearby tree then all the way to the other side of the field to a weed-tree thicket adjacent to I-215).
Habitat:	Along edge of canal in phragmites. Also flew into field with weeds and a scattering of small trees. Very degraded habitat. Not many substantial trees in area.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Western/Eastern wood-pewee: Tail wagging, no wing bars, flatter head Willow flycatcher: Tail wagging pattern in circular or figure-8 motion, no wing bars Other empids: all that plus lack of eyering
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I wouldn't call myself a Sayornithologist, per se, but I have seen this species a 46 times in the US of A and four times in Mexico (per eBird). I've seen the similar species in previous box much more often than that by way of elimination.
References consulted:	I'm sure I looked at a National Geographic field guide at some point, but that would have been after I returned to my car. Guess I winged it at the time, relying on field notes for the writeup...
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	David Wheeler
Observer's address:	2196 S 1000 E, SLC, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Lauri Taylor, Vivian Schneggenburger, Pomera??
Date prepared:	16 May 2023
Additional material:	Photos by Lauri Taylor
Additional comments:	Apologies for the late submittal. Was hoping someone else would submit with photos to make this more credible, then conveniently forgot until recently.