ML184557831

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

***Mega; second state record. Confirmed by MARC board and eBird submission was requested. I'm entering this record quite late due to year-long MARC review and busyness. Following are my original notes taken immediately after the sighting. I was watching hundreds of TRES traveling to their evening roost. There were none loafing around, and almost none going any other direction than directly south to north. The reason this bird immediately caught my attention enough to grab my camera was because it came from my left, the west, and went straight over my house, unwaveringly to the east. Its flight style struck me as being more like a butterfly or a swift, with short and quick movements side to side and shallow, flicking wingbeats. The style contrasted with the lazier flight pattern of the TRES. When I observed it further, still with my naked eye, I could tell it was paler and whiter overall; a very relative impression; but seemingly due to the extensive white on the rump and the head. It was at that point I realized I needed photos as quickly as possible, but was only able to capture three shots before it disappeared over the treeline. Physical features visible in photos: - Broad white on cheek apparently extending behind eye. - White wrapping very high up from the vents onto the rump. - Emerald green iridescence on nape and lower back. I feel, along with many others with whom I have discussed, that these observations coupled with the photos are telling enough to confirm this bird. Given the bird's rarity, I took every precaution in the confirmation process. The record was finally confirmed by MARC, and I have no hesitation entering it here.

Technical information

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