Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2025-25
| Common name: |
Vaux's Swift |
| Scientific name: | Chaetura Vauxi |
| Date: | 07 May 2025 |
| Time: | 8:38 |
| Length of time observed: | 20 seconds |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Upper Lytle Ranch |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | Flying up canyon stream west of cottonwood trees |
| Optical equipment: | 840mm Canon Lens |
| Weather: | Clear and cool , following a day of heavy rain |
| Light Conditions: | Nice filtered light |
| Description: Size of bird: | Appeared smaller than nearby swallows |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Cigar shaped |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Gray |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Small pointed |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Gray overall with lighter chin area. Almost absent tail, and very small
bill. (see photo) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | Flying quite high |
| Habitat: | Desert raparian |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Seen with Swallows. Lacked their color. Lacked white patches on face of Cliff Swallows. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have taken lots of photos of Swallows and Swifts. |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | James Loveless |
| Observer's address: | 10879 S Lake Island Dr |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Rebecca Palazolo |
| Date prepared: | 15 May 2025 |
| Additional material: | Photo |
| Additional comments: |