Northern Range Extension of Wied's Crested Flycatcher

Abstract

Two specimens of Wied's Crested Flycatchers (Myiarchus tyrannulus) were taken north of their previously published range in May 1966. Both specimens were identified as the race magister by Richard C. Banks, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., and both are located at Zion National Park, Utah. One was taken at Beaver Dam, Mohave County, Arizona, 5 May (ZNPM-1846, 8 ). Its larger testis measured 12 x 5 mm. The second specimen (ZNPM-1793, 8 ) was taken 18 May, three miles above the Lytle Ranch in Beaver Dam Wash, Washington County, Utah. Its larger testis measured 14 x 8 mm. It was first detected on 27 April, among the cottonwood foliage at Beaver Dam, which is located at the confluence of Beaver Dam Wash and the Virgin River. Its call and soft whit was unmistakable although I did not see it that day. On 5 May, however, a pair was seen there, presumably mating; the male chased the female from tree to tree for about five minutes before the male was collected. Again on 12 May, a mating pair was found at the same location by the writer and Bruce Moorehead. Additional records at Beaver Dam include five individuals observed 19 May (one was seen carrying either nesting materials or food), two on 26 May, one on 16 June, two on 23 June, and three on 21 July. Beaver Dam Wash runs south from Utah's Bull Valley and Beaver Dam Mountains to Beaver Dam. About 25 miles of the wash is in Utah. There are sparse cottonwood growths throughout, and a single large cottonwood-willow woodland situated at the upper end of the wash about 20 miles north of Beaver Dam. That area was visited by the author, 18 May, for the purpose of finding and collecting the Wied's Crested Flycatcher. A mating pair was found and the male collected.