Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-25
| Common name: |
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher |
| Scientific name: | Tyrannus forficatus |
| Date: |
05/21/26 |
| Time: | ~08:30AM MDT |
| Length of time observed: | ~5 min |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | The marsh east of Northlake Park in Lehi, UT |
| County: | Utah County |
| Latilong: | 40.359278,-111.848806 |
| Elevation: | ~4500 ft |
| Distance to bird: | ~75 ft |
| Optical equipment: | Vortex Diamondback 10x42 binoculars, Vortex Razor 13-39x56 spotting scope, Galaxy A54 5G camera (digiscoping through the scope) |
| Weather: | Overcast and cool with little wind |
| Light Conditions: | Bright but with minimal direct sun due to cloud cover |
| Description: Size of bird: | About the size of a Western Kingbird |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Flycatcher-shaped with a very long tail |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Pale gray head and back, darker wings, and salmon belly |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Moderate size, straight and stout |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
A larger kingbird/flycatcher with light gray above, dark gray-brown
wings, salmon wash on belly and an exceptionally long forked tail. Like
a western kingbird but more slender, with a somewhat thinner bill,
salmon instead of yellow, and a tail more than 1.5 times the length of
its body. (see photo) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | Stayed perched on a small dead tree or bush, occasionally adjusting its position. Possibly looking for insects to grab though I didn't see it sally. After a few minutes it took off and flew west out of the marsh, flying about 15 feet above the ground. |
| Habitat: | Wetland adjacent to the lake shore |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Very long forked tail rules out western kingbird, eastern kingbird, Say's phoebe, and female vermilion flycatcher. All-gray head and salmon belly rule out the much rarer fork-tailed flycatcher. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Plenty of experience with western kingbirds and Say's phoebes. Some experience with eastern kingbirds and vermilion flycatchers. No previous experience with scissor-tailed flycatchers. |
| References consulted: | ebird.org, merlin bird ID app, allaboutbirds.org |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Zachary Glenn |
| Observer's address: | 356 S 1160 W Orem, UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 05/23/56 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |