Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2005-21
| Common name: |
Lawrence's Goldfinch |
| Scientific name: | Carduelis lawrencei |
| Date: | 10/16/04 |
| Time: | 12:30 p.m. |
| Length of time observed: | 3 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Male |
| Location: | Lytle Ranch |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 25 to 30 feet |
| Optical equipment: | Pentax 8x42 and Pentax 10x42 Binoculars |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | Size similar to a chickadee; much smaller than the White-crowned Sparrows it was with. |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Overall body color was gray with some black and yellow markings. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Conical pale peach colored bill. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Black area on the face from the top of the head down in front of the eye and
narrowing on either side of the bill. The black was also present on the chin
beneath the bill. Wings had some black markings and yellow wingbars Breast was gray overall with a yellow "bib" patch. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Not heard |
| Behavior: |
Perched on lower branch of tree about 3 feet off the ground for a couple of
minutes. Then, moved from branch to branch for about 15 seconds while looking
down toward the ground. Then, flew down into the grass where numerous
White-crowned Sparrows were feeding. At this point we lost sight of the bird in the tall grass and did not see it again. |
| Habitat: | Fruit tree orchard carpeted with long grass |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Other goldfinches do not have a black face and chin. Warblers do not have a conical bill. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
We've seen Lawrence's Goldfinches in California. We've seen the other goldfinch species numerous times. |
| References consulted: | Sibley and National Geographic |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | Joel and Kathy Beyer |
| Observer's address: | 1719 Hillcrest Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | twobirders@juno.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | None |
| Date prepared: | 7/8/05 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |