Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Northern Parula
Scientific name:	Parula americana
Date:	May 16-June 5, 2003
Time:	All day
Length of time observed:	Up to 10 minutes at a time
Number:	One
Age:	unknown
Sex:	unknown
Location:	Zion National Park; Watchman Housing Area
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:	4000 feet
Distance to bird:	Up to 50 feet away
Optical equipment:	Several people viewed the bird with high quality binoculars (Leica, etc.)
Weather:	Generally clear and warm
Light Conditions:	Good
Detailed description of bird:	A small warbler; blue-gray backside and wings with some olive on the upper back; Broken white eye ring; white wing bars; white belly; yellow throat and breast. Adjacent dark gray and orange bands across breast.
Song or call & method of delivery:	The bird sings frequently throughout the day. Song is a rising trill ending with a "zip."
Behavior:	Spends its time in the large trees around the Watchman Housing Area in Zion National Park. Sings frequently.
Habitat:	Residential area with lots of large ash, sycamore, and other trees.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Not easily confused with any other species.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I had seen several Northern Parulas just two weeks before along the Texas coast. I have seen this bird on numerous occasions while living and working in the Florida Everglades.
References consulted:	National Geographic Field Guide to North American Birds
Description from:	From memory
Observer:	Bob Showler
Observer's address:	Bob Showler, P.O. Box 236, Springdale, UT 84767
Observer's e-mail address:	bob_showler@nps.gov
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Lonny Boring, Christi Carmichael, Dennis Brooks, Willy Dunne, and about a dozen observers who were participating in a guided bird walk.
Date prepared:	6/5/03 (Restricted)
Additional material:
Additional comments:	This bird has been hanging around the same area for nearly three weeks. I suspect it will remain in the area even longer.