Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2025-18a
| Common name: |
Vaux's Swift |
| Scientific name: | Chaetura vauxi |
| Date: | 4/27/2025 |
| Time: | 7:20 am |
| Length of time observed: | 50 seconds |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Tonaquint Nature Center along the Santa Clara River |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | (37.0803878, -113.5986395) |
| Elevation: | 2,700 ft |
| Distance to bird: | 40 ft |
| Optical equipment: | Vortex 10x42 |
| Weather: | Sunny, some if anywind |
| Light Conditions: | Sunrise, good light |
| Description: Size of bird: | 4.5 in |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Small stocky body, long stiff wings |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Dark gray, Gray, Brown |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Short stubby swallow like bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Small and stocky swift, noted stiff thin wings beaten rapidly would never extend them to the extent the nearby swallows would, dark gray body with lighter throat and rump, very short tail, contrast between light rump and back of the bird. Loosely associating with Violet Green Swallows |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Did not call |
| Behavior: | Flycatching while flying above the river |
| Habitat: | Riparian |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Chimney Swift and Gray-rumped Swift are both very similar to the Vaux s Swift. Noted very small overall with lighter throat than either of the similar swifts would have. Contrast between darker back and lighter brown rump was seen multiple times when the bird would make a banking maneuver. Seeing that we saw this contrast multiple times in different lighting we can confirm that this wasn t the light making the contrast. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I saw possibly the same individual last year on the same exact date 4/27/2024. I also observed this species on two occasions in their normal range in Oregon a couple years ago. I have also had experience with Chimney Swift in Iowa two years ago where I noted darker throat and no contrast on rump. |
| References consulted: | Audubon Field Guide, Merlin Bird ID and eBird description |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Asher Lee |
| Observer's address: | 3590 N 2950 W, Lehi, Utah |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Paul Hicks, Jesse Lee |
| Date prepared: | 4/30/2025 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: | Was literally talking about our sighting last year at the same spot when this guy first flew over! |