Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2020-41


Common name:

Vaux's Swift

Scientific name: Chaetura vauxi
Date: 7 May 2020
Time: about 8:25 pm
Length of time observed: About 5 min, with interruptions
Number: 1
Age: unknown
Sex: unknown
Location: Blackridge Reservoir
County: Salt Lake
Latilong: 40.480021, -112.022203
Elevation: 5270
Distance to bird: Varied from 20 to 500 feet, due to circling flights
Optical equipment: 10x50 binoculars, but much of the observation made with unaided eye
Weather: Didn't note at time, but records say it was ~50 degrees with no wind and clear skies
Light Conditions: Sun was going down, so it was getting darker
Description:        Size of bird: A little smaller than the nearby VGSW
(Description:)       Basic Shape: Cylindrical body, sickle-shaped wings
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: Dark, but paler on chin
(Description:)            Bill Type: Small, but couldn't see much
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Copy-pasted from my eBird comments made at time of observation: With all the swallows and the failing light, it was hard to track flying over the water. Similar to Chimney Swift, but seemed small. Cylindrical body, sickle-like wings. Stiff, rapid wingbeats. Dark, but paler on chin. I think it flew north with a few swallows as we were leaving.
Song or call & method of delivery: Didn't notice vocalizations specific to this bird with all the motion and sound occurring.
Behavior: Flying constantly with swallows over reservoir. Stiff, rapid wingbeats. Flight path with lots of turns, but didn't feel terribly erratic.
Habitat: Artificial pond nearly surrounded by houses on side of hill. But not very far from
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Shape and size differed slightly from swallows flying nearby. Didn't make any other specific comparisons at time of observation.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
I have only 2 or 3 observations of this species, but I regularly observed the similar Chimney Swift over the past 5 years in Oklahoma and Massachusetts.
References consulted: None at time of observation. Looked at revised Sibley later to confirm impressions.
Description from: Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Corey Riding
Observer's address:  
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: none
Date prepared: 15 Sep 2020
Additional material:  
Additional comments: Didn't consider that this observation warranted a submission to the committee, but eBird regional editor (Kenny Frisch) suggested doing so.