Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 9-2001


Common name:

Curlew Sandpiper

Scientific name: Calidris ferruginea
Date: 8 May 2001
Time: 7:50 Am
Length of time observed: 30 minutes
Number: 1
Age: adult
Sex: ?
Location: Antelope Island Causeway
County: Davis
Latilong:  
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: 10 meters
Optical equipment:  
Weather: clear, no wind
Light Conditions: Bright.
Detailed description of bird: This was a medium sized shorebird. It had Reddish brown head, breast, mantle, and belly. Decurved bill with whitish area near the base of the lower bill. White rump visible when the bird stretched out its wings as was a white wing stripe. White undertail coverts - some spots.
Song or call & method of delivery:  
Behavior: This bird was mostly sleeping or sitting idle among sanderlings occasionally the bird would stretch out and preen itself.
Habitat: rocky shoreline of the great salt lake along the Antelope Island causeway
Similar species and
how were they eliminated:
Dunlin: while Dunlin is similar in basic plumage and has the decurved bill, in breeding plumage it does not have this reddish brown plumage instead has rufous crown and back, whitish throat & back with dark streaking, black belly, lacks white rump.
Stilt Sandpiper: while it has a slightly decurved bill, bill is thicker. Has green legs that are longer. White supercillium, different color overall.
Sanderling: lacks decurved bill, reddish brown does not extend to belly
Previous experience with this & similar species: I observer another Curlew Sandpiper along the Antelope Island Causeway several years ago along with many other observers
References consulted: Shorebirds: An Identification Guide, National Geographic Guide to Birds of No. America, 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:
Joel and Kathy Beyer,
Date prepared: 21 June 2001
Additional material: Photo, Original Document
   

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