Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2002-
25


Common name:

Vaux's Swift

Scientific name: Chaetura vauxi
Date: 5/23/2002
Time: Between 11:00am and 12:30pm
 
Length of time observed: ~15 minutes total including both sightings
 
Number: 1@River Ln., 3@Swede Ln.
Age: Adult
Sex:  
Location: West of Springville, River Lane near mouth of Spanish Fork River, Swede Lane
County: Utah
Latilong:  
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: 20 to 30 feet up
Optical equipment: Pentax 10x42 DCF WP Binoculars, Pentax 8x42 DCF WP
Binoculars
Weather: Mostly Sunny
Light Conditions: Bright
Detailed description of bird: Short-winged, short-tailed swift.
Dark gray-brown back and wings.
Slightly paler brown underparts.
Rapid wing beats.
Song or call & method of delivery: Not heard.
Behavior: Flying and circling overhead, just above the treetops at River Ln. The one bird flew overhead 5 times. At Swede Ln. the 3 birds were flying and circling about 30 feet up. They were visible for a few minutes and then flew higher. A few minutes later they were again circling overhead for 2 to 3 minutes and then flew off to the north out of sight.
Habitat: South shore of Utah Lake. Riparian area at mouth of Spanish
Fork River. More desert-like habitat at Swede Ln.
 
Similar species and
how were they eliminated:
White-throated swifts have very distinctive markings, are larger, and have slower wing beats.

Black swifts are larger, with longer wings, and slower wing beats.

Previous experience with this & similar species: Experience_with_Species: We've seen many White-throated Swifts in Utah and in other states. We've also seen quite a few Black Swifts in Utah as well as in other spots. We've seen several Vaux's Swifts in Washington, Oregon, and California. Our most recent sighting of Vaux's Swifts was in Lehi, Utah a few years ago.
References consulted: The Sibley Guide to Birds
Description from: From memory
Observer: Joel and Kathy Beyer
Observer's address: 1719 Hillcrest Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
 
Observer's e-mail address: twobirders@juno.com
Other observers who independently identified
this bird:
 
Date prepared: 6/29/202 (General Public)
 
Additional material: