| Common Name | Western Kingbird |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tyrannus verticalis |
| Type of Report | Rare Species |
| Date of Observation | 10/03/2020 |
| Number Observed | 1 |
| Reporting Observer's Name | Kyle Jones |
| Mailing Address | 230 South Windsor St South Royalton, VT 05068 United States Map It |
| Email hidden; Javascript is required. | |
| Date Completed | 10/16/2020 |
| Names & Emails of Other Contributing Observers | Also seen on both occasions by Elisabeth (Tii) McLane. |
| Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 0 |
| Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 0 |
| Place Name | Campbell Flats |
| Township | Norwich |
| County | Windsor |
| Vermont eBird Checklist URL | ebird.org |
| Time of Day | 09:00 AM |
| Length of Time Observed | 20 minutes |
| Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 200 |
| Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 100 |
| Noteworthy Weather Conditions | It's been a while, but I recall good light, or at least light in our favor, and no precip or wind. |
| Optical Equipment Used for Observation | 8x binoculars |
| Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species | Seen in many N.A. locations, including as a vagrant on the east coast on several occasions. I have also seen most (all?) of the similar N.A. species. |
| I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event. | |
| Description of Habitat | Roadside. Lightly travelled road with a cornfield, hayfield, and a few residences in the area. |
| Behaviors Observed | When observed it was mostly perched high in trees. Both in a small snag or a large oak tree. |
| Description of Vocalizations | None heard. |
| Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation | Tii first saw the bird and described to me she had seen a bird with a yellow belly and white outer tail feathers sitting high in a tree. I said something like: "I need to see that bird". We soon relocated the bird and it was clearly a medium-sized flycatcher, trending towards kingbird. I initially thought it was a western kingbird but wanted to rule out other similar (but also vagrant) species. We had the chance for some decent close looks, but I did not have a camera or scope with me, so grabbed a few phone shots through my binoculars (in checklist). Eventually I got to the car and retrieved my spotting scope digiscope photos, but as I was setting up the bird flew away and was not relocated. Tii and I came back 2 days later and relocated the bird in the same area. After that many observers had a chance to see it over a period of a few days. |
| Relative Size & Shape | Kingbird size and shape and behavior (ruling out Myiarchus spp). |
| Head | Light gray head with pale chin and throat. Thin black mask. |
| Feet & Bill | Small dark bill. Feet details not noted. |
| Upper Back | Vague on this but darkish, not yellow. |
| Lower Back & Rump | Same as upper back. |
| Wings | Not noted at the time. |
| Breast, Belly, Flanks, Under Tail Coverts | Bright yellow flanks and belly. I would have said the breast was yellow too (from memory) but looking at images from the second sighting that was clearly not the case. |
| Tail | Typical kingbird tail but clearly with bold white outer tail feathers ruling out other species of flycatcher. |
| IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different? | Cassin's Kingbird was considered but rejected when the bold white outer tail feathers were seen. I had not considered Tropical or Couch's Kingbird at the time but the white outer tail feathers also ruled out those species. The smallish bill and white outer tail feathers rule out Loggerhead Kingbird. |
| Other Notes & Comments | Age and sex not determined. |
| This report was written from notes taken: | Written from Memory |
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