Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2023-25
| Common name: |
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher |
| Scientific name: | Tyrannus forficatus |
| Date: | 6/4/23 |
| Time: | 9:30am |
| Length of time observed: | 60 min |
| Number: | 2 |
| Age: | AHY |
| Sex: | Male and female |
| Location: | Mission Rd, Bluff |
| County: | San Juan |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 30 yards |
| Optical equipment: | Swarovski NL 8x42, Sony A7IV w/ 200-600mm lens |
| Weather: | Warm and sunny |
| Light Conditions: | Nice early morning light |
| Description: Size of bird: | Similar to Western Kingbird with much longer tail |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Flycatcher but with extremely long forked tail |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Pale overall with darker wings and tail |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Medium sized in both length and thickness |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Pale overall with darker wings and tail. Tail
extremely long and forked with some white markings on it mainly on the
edges. Back grayer than the body but pale than the wings. Faint pink on
sides and belly with brighter pink under the wings. Male had a longer
tail than the female. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Gave a low pik call when bothered by other birds or when it spotted a cowbird at the nest. |
| Behavior: | Would often make long fluttery sallies for insects. Was building a nest and sitting on it periodically. Would fly some low desert shrubs and then forage on the ground for nesting material. |
| Habitat: | Converted agricultural fields |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Very long tail rules out all other flycatcher species besides Fork-tailed, but Fork-tailed will have a dark cap and an all white belly. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have seen many in Texas and seen one other in Utah |
| References consulted: | Sibleys 2nd edition, Nat Geo 7th |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Kenny Frisch |
| Observer's address: | 4609 S Wallace Ln Holladay, UT 84117 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Molly Montes and my kids |
| Date prepared: | 6/9/23 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | Here is the associated Ebird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S140457482 |