Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Black-throated Blue Warbler
Scientific name:	Dendroica caerulescens
Date:	25 Oct 2000
Time:	9:00 am - 10:00 am
Length of time observed:	1 hour
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Male
Location:	Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge
County:	Juab
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	2 - 4 meters
Optical equipment:
Weather:	sunny
Light Conditions:	bright
Detailed description of bird:	Small active bird with small pointed bill. Black throat which extended up thru the cheeks, auricular area and just above eye. Black from throat also extended down thru the upper sides. Blue upperparts including crown, back, scapulars, wing coverts, wings and upper tail. White breast, belly, undertail, coverts. White patch on wing and white stripe just above black on side. Overall small active bird working and flitting thru lower branches of the trees occasionally feeding on the ground and then flying back up.
Song or call & method of delivery:	The call was very similar to a Junco. In fact I thought it was a Junco when I first heard it.
Behavior:	Working trees of Fish Springs residential area flitting back and forth looking for food usually 6 to 10 fet off the ground. Occasionally dropping to the ground to feed.
Habitat:	Chinese Elm, Russian Olive trees. Usually the lower branch of the trees.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	No other warbler resembles the male Black-throated Blue Warbler. The color combination of blue, black, with white wing stripe very distinctive.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	No previous experience with Black-throated Blue Warbler
References consulted:	National Geographic field guide to North American Birds. NAS. The Sibley Guide to Birds.
Description from:	Notes at time of sighting.
Observer:	Terry Sadler
Observer's address:	887 Germania Ave. Murray, UT 84123
Observer's e-mail address:	sadler@xmission.com
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Jay Banta - FSNWR manager
Date prepared:	27 Dec 2000
Additional material:	Photo, Original Document