Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form

 

Species: Least Flycatcher (≥7 singing individuals)

 

Reporter: Jay Carlisle

989 W. Sherwood, Boise, ID 83706

jaycarlisle@boisestate.edu

 

Other Observers: Heidi Ware, Larry Barnes, Jack Stenger

 

Date Report Prepared: 6-18-10

 

Date Sighting Occurred:  May 23 to June 22, 2009

 

Locality of Observation: Crystal Creek Ranch along the Big Wood River, Blaine County – near the intersection of highways 20 & 75.  GPS locations (NAD83, Zone 11) of survey points where birds were detected include:

 

43.33543

-114.31430

43.34876

-114.30446

43.35777

-114.29269

43.32377

-114.32526

43.32499

-114.32264

43.32499

-114.32264

43.32627

-114.32522

43.34522

-114.30773

43.33620

-114.30612

43.33274

-114.31405

43.34728

-114.29877

43.34611

-114.30456

 

Habitat: Cottonwood stands along and near Big Wood river

 

Conditions:  I don’t remember but not raining

 

Did you take notes?  no

 

Did you consult a field guide or other reference work?  no

           

What guide(s) or reference(s) did you consult?

 

Description:  All birds were detected during standardized point count surveys in late May & June 2009 on Crystal Creek Ranch.  All birds were heard singing their distinctive & repetitive/monotonous ‘Che-bec’ song and several were observed visually as well.  On the birds we observed, we could see the relatively short wings & tail and the short, relatively wide bill.

 

On May 23 (during the first round of surveys), I detected 3 individual birds.  On the 2nd visit to these points (19-22 June), we detected a total of 9 singing birds on counts – thus, more birds had arrived.  Based on locations of survey points, it’s possible that a couple of these individuals were detected from multiple points during round 2.  Thus, a conservative estimate is that there were at least 7 Least Flycatcher males on Crystal Creek Ranch in summer 2009.

 

Behavior:  All birds were heard singing and some were observed foraging & singing; generally high in Cottonwoods.

 

How and when did you positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you?  The song was the clincher in each case.  The short wing & tail extension were also helpful.

 

How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they?  Other Empidonax flycatchers are all candidates but the ‘che-bec’ song eliminates them all … and the small bill, and the short wings AND tail eliminate other species.  Of the species most likely to confused, Dusky has a longer, narrower bill and a long tail; Hammond’s has a narrow bill and long wings; and Willow has a larger bill and no obvious eye ring.

 

Experience with this species (and similar species): I have observed 100s to 1000s of all the western Empidonax (and smaller #s of all the eastern species as well) both in the field & in the hand (via migration banding).  Thus, I’m very familiar with the songs, calls, plumage, and structure of the Empidonax.  The other observers all have familiarity with the species as well, especially Larry & Jack.  Heidi is newer to the Empidonax but she has learned them quickly.

 

General birding experience: extensive; 14+ years in US and Latin America

 

Were photo(s), video, and/or audio obtained by you? (If yes, please include or attach)    Yes – the attached picture was taken by Jack Stenger of a bird observed on May 23.  Its resolution is low but you can still observe the compact structure – short tail, short primary extension, and short bill.