Documentation of
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
2012-228
Observer Information
Reporter:
Christopher Rustay
Other Observers:
none; yes, I'm the original finder. Others, at a meeting I was driving to, looked for it on the way back but apparently didn't locate the bird.
Species, Date, Time and Location Information
Species:
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
First Date/Time:
5/31/2012
Last Date/Time:
Duration (total time in view):
~ 3 minutes
County:
Cheyenne
Specific Location:
Hwy 287 above 1/2 mile north of CR D (County? Cheyenne? Road)
Number:
1
Age:
Unknown
Sex:
Unknown
Plumage:
Other/Unknown
Habitat
shortgrass prairie
Viewing Conditions
Optics:
Binoculars 8x42
Distance:
An estimated 30 ft.-from the east side of road, across road to right-of-way fenceline
Light:
Light coming from behind me towards the bird and was excellent on a clear day.
Description of the Bird
Tail about the same length as the rest of the body. Body approximately the same length as that of a nearby Mockingbird though the two weren't side by side for direct comparison. Tail, from above, appeared to be composed of just two very long retrices that split close to the tip of the tail.
Head: light gray
Back: slightly darker brownish-gray
Wings: a dark brown with flight feathers broadly edged in white or light gray.
Tail: appeared entirely darkish to medium brown from above; from below appeared primarily white but with dark on the terminal ends.
Underparts: mostly white but with sides a salmon color.
There was a bright pink or even scarlet line just above the "shoulder".
Behaviors: First noticed the bird as it flew across the road in front of my car, relatively low towards a fence. Refound just a minute or so later (after turning the car around) and it was sitting on a fence wire. It made one typical flycatcher-like sally out and back to the fence wire. During the sally, as it was turning back to the fence it spread it tail quite widely, providing an open scissors look, returning it back to a closed position upon landing back on the wire.
Call: None heard
Plumage: Apparent adult plumage
Similar Species Discussion
very few. Potential with mockingbirds but they lack the pink on the sides and the extraordinarily long bifurcated tail.
Resources Used
None
Previous Experience
I'm very experienced with this species and mockingbirds. I work in the southern Great Plains and travel fairly frequently, having seen STFL every year since 2002 on multiple occasions in multiple states, including NE, KS, OK and NM. This is the first time I've seen one in CO.
Notes
Notes made AFTER observation
Additional Information
Materials Available
No files uploaded.
Date Documentation Submitted
8/3/2012 6:40:00 AM