Documentation of
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
2015-066
Observer Information
Reporter:
Polly Neldner
PO Box 358,
La Veta,
CO 81055
E-mail:
pollywren@gmail.com
Other Observers:
Paul Neldner
Species, Date, Time and Location Information
Species:
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
First Date/Time:
5/30/2015 4:30:00 PM
Last Date/Time:
5/30/2015 6:49:00 PM
Duration (total time in view):
12 minutes
County:
Huerfano
Specific Location:
La Veta
Number:
1
Age:
Unknown
Sex:
Female
Plumage:
Other/Unknown
Habitat
Open field/pasture land
Viewing Conditions
Optics:
Swarovski 8X42 Binoculars and Spotting Scope
Distance:
As close as 50 ft. and as far away as 300 ft.
Light:
Good, light overcast, fairly bright
Description of the Bird
Bird was first seen on barbed wire fence. Flew off fence down to cattle pasture, where it was observed with prey. Tyrannus flycatcher with white head, slight dark mask, dark bill, with salmon pink wash on flanks and extremely long, forked tail. Bird showed pink underwing coverts in flight, white egdes to tails showed best in flight.Tail was easily longer than the body of the bird, held stiffly. Note: tail was not long enough for male, therefore we think this was female.
Similar Species Discussion
We close by Western and Eastern Kingbirds. Easily eliminate due to coloration and long forked tail. Black-billed Magpies were also close by and easily eliminated due to coloration and size of bird.
Resources Used
Sibley's Guide to Birds, Stokes Field Guide and Peterson's. As we have have seen Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in Texas and Oklahoma we knew the bird when we saw it.
Previous Experience
We see Western, Cassin's and Eastern Kingbirds every year. We have seen Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in Texas and Oklahoma. We have also seen Fork-tailed Flycatchers which were elminiated due to coloration. Fork-tailed would have had a very dark head and darker tail. Tail would have been even longer in Fork-tailed
Notes
Notes made DURING observation
Date Documentation Submitted
5/30/2015 10:54:00 PM
|
Click left or right edges of photos to move through all; click outside image to close
|
| | |
Location Map
The marker on the map shows an approximation of the location of this report. The marker is generated using a prioritized Logic base:
1) If the observer has entered coordinates, they will be shown.
2) No specific coordinates are available but the location is mappable.
3) A generic location with no specific coordinates is mapped to the center of the reported county.
Powered By Subgurim(http://googlemaps.subgurim.net).
Google Maps ASP.NET