Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2002-07


Common name:

Painted Redstart

Scientific name: Myioborus pictus
Date: April 22, 2001
Time: 16:30
Length of time observed: 15 minutes in original observation; also 30 min on 25 April 2001.
Number: 1
Age: Adult
Sex: Male
Location: Temple of Sinawava, Zion National Park
County: Washington
Latilong:  
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: As close as 8 m
Optical equipment:  
Weather: 60 degrees F, partly cloudy, 4 - 12 mph wind
Light Conditions: : Shaded - afternoon in Zion Canyon - not direct sunlight, but not "low" light.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF BIRD:
 
Detailed description of bird: Clearly a wood warbler - similar size/shape, with similar bill structure, as other warblers it was foraging with (see Behavior, below). Behavioral characteristics (i.e. foraging style - see Behavior, below) also suggested similarity to redstarts (Setophaga, Myioborus).

Plumage pattern striking and unmistakable; jet black head, back, throat, and primary feathers, except for distinct white crescent below eye. Bright red belly. Wing coverts and outer retrices immaculate white - showed very strong contrast with black and red body. White feathers also conspicuous because bird frequently fanned tail and flicked wings while foraging.
ong or call & method of delivery: Bird sang frequently (up to 5 times/min at 09:45, 25 April 2001). Sang from 7 m high perch in ash next to canyon wall. Song a rich warble - unlike any other species that occurs in Utah.
Behavior: Actively foraging with mixed species flock (mostly warblers; Audubon's, Yellow, Virginia's, Black-thr, Gray) - foraging in classic Myioborus style: fanning tail & flashing white wing patches as it moved over bark surfaces, chasing flushed prey. Also foraged in more typical warbler style: inspecting and gleaning prey from foliage.
Habitat: Riparian woodland
Similar species and
how were they eliminated:
Identification straightforward - no other species could be confused with this bird. Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus), which occurred in Arizona, does not have white wing coverts or white crescent below eye.
Previous experience with this & similar species: Extensive experience with this species in Arizona and Mexico, and other Myioborus species (Slate-throated, Spectacled; Brown-capped) in Mexico, Ecuador and Argentina.
References consulted: Sibley Guide to Birds
Description from: FROM: NOTES TAKEN AT TIME OF SIGHTING
Observer: Robert Dobbs SIGNATURE:

ADDRESS:

CITY:
 
Observer's address: 817 Brentwood Blvd, Lafayette,  LA   70503
Observer's e-mail address:  
Other observers who independently identified
this bird:
Rick Fridell, many other observers
***Note from Matt DeVries: A friend (Quinn Harker) and I observed and video taped this bird in April of 2001
Date prepared: 20 December 2001
Additional material: Original Document