Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Tropical Kingkird
Scientific name:	Tyrannus melancholicus
Date:	10/12/26
Time:	12:00 PM
Length of time observed:	30 minutes
Number:	1
Age:
Sex:
Location:	Lincoln Point
County:	Utah
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	Initial flyby at 60ft, eventual got looks at 20ft
Optical equipment:	Vortex binoculars, Nikon D500 & 200-500mm lens
Weather:	Overcast, light wind
Light Conditions:	Overcast
Description: Size of bird:	robin sized, slightly larger than other kingbirds
(Description:) Basic Shape:	kingbird
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	yellow belly, yellow-green back, white chin, brownish tail without white edging on outer recticies
(Description:) Bill Type:	Large long bill
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Large long bill, very bright yellow belly that extends up to the white chin, bright yellow green back. No white in outer edging of tail feathers ruling out Western. Bill looked longer than Western and Couch s, though very difficult to tell. The bill didn t look quite as short and chunky as Couch s would be expected to. Head not as dark as Cassin's and with chin patch not contrasty enough ruling out Cassin's. With these factors and the fact that Tropical are far more likely to vagrate than Couch s we landed on Tropical. I believe Bryant also heard the bird vocalize though I did not catch this. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	Initially flew around Lincoln Point towards the south east headed toward the Marina. Landed on the fence and provided better looks. Flycatching and making small flights between perches. Flew directly at a large group of us and perched at about 20ft maximum on the barbed wire fence. Actively moving around the area, eventually flew a bit further North back to the Point where I last saw it. Others reported it after.
Habitat:	Shore of Utah lake, sticking to the fences, old buildings, telephone wires and tamarisks.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	No white in outer edging of tail feathers ruling out Western. Bill looked longer than Western and Couch s, though very difficult to tell. The bill didn t look quite as short and chunky as Couch s would be expected to. Head not as dark as Cassin's and with chin patch not contrasty enough ruling out Cassin's.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I am very familiar with Western and Cassin's Kingbirds since I have seen them both on a nearly daily basis in New Mexico. I have seen Cassin's Kingbirds all across the Southwest. I have seen Western Kingbirds all across the Western US. I have seen Couch's and Tropical Kingbirds in the rio grande valley of Texas where both are numerous. I have also seen Tropical Kingbird in Arizona and in Ecuador.
References consulted:	Sibley app, Photos on Merlin app
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Kaleb Anderson
Observer's address:
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Asher Lee, McKay Olsen, Esther Sumner, many other birders got to see this bird
Date prepared:	10/13/26
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	Photos submitted