IBRC #38-B-10

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Least Flycatcher
HOW MANY: 1 adult male

REPORTER: Dave Faike 208-879-5291
REPORTER EMAIL: dfaike@yahoo.com
OTHER OBSERVERS: Dave Faike

DATE REPORT PREPARED: 6/11/2010
DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: 6/8/2010

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: Pennal Gulch; N44 32.386' W114 10.703'; approx 3 mi NW of Challis, ID, Custer County.
HABITAT: Riparian
CONDITIONS: First sighted 6/7 but cloudy, 45 degree temp and light rain and bird wasn't very active. At approx 75' distance using 8x42 Elites I could see full almond shaped eye ring and breast color difference as well as size difference that make this empid stand out. On 6/8 it was sunny out, 55 degrees or so and the bird was calling. I've since seen it everyday, same location. Last year the Least fc nested at this locale. So far I've only detected one bird, a singing male.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: No, not at all DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: No, not at all

DESCRIPTION: Tyrannidae, classic flycatcher. It's a tiny empid that had a narrow tail and a solid light grey chest band. The eyering is almond shape on both the leading/trailing edge. Primary project was short.
BEHAVIOR: This bird would sally from a perch to catch flying insects and generally return to a different perch following each sally. It was a loner and its vocalization was a loud, sharp chee-bek. The head would cock back and the entire body would shake with each utterance.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? I noted the bird (small size, brief sallying and returning to different perch each time, complete light grey breast band, narrow tail, almond eyering fore and aft) on 6/7 but, to be absolutely positive, returned again the following day when the weather improved and I found it again, calling. The distinctive call clinched it.
HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? The Pennal Gulch area has 5 empid species but only one is a confussant, the Dusky. To eliminate any possible wrong I.D. I returned when the Least fc was calling.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): Least fc were first reported at Pennal Gulch in the mid-90s, and have since been observed [spreading] throughout Central and East Idaho. I spend lots of time photographing them, watching them nest and fledge at Pennal Gulch because it's close to home. Even so, unless they are calling, the Dusky is so similar that I don't like to call it one way or the other unless both are present and wing size and head shape differences are apparent. The least fc has been a permanent resident at Pennal Gulch since its discovery. Other locales have turned up with repeating observations over the past many years. I suspect none of them are being reported mostly because of time demands associated with filling out forms - usually 45 minutes a shot. I suggest creation of a "short form" followed up by a request for supplemental info only if you feel you absolutely need it ... or just asterisk the boxes that are critical. I reported 2 sightings tonight, feel exhausted, ... and totally understand why collegues refuse to do just one. Just some candid feedback. df
GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: Advanced (expert) birder. 50 years birding experience.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: None