Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2005-40(R83)
1983 sighting resubmitted in October 2005
Information for this record is taken from
a UFO sight record prepared 22 May 1983.
| Common name: |
Veery |
| Scientific name: | Hylocichla fuscescens [now: Catharus fuscescens] |
| Date: | 21 May 1983 |
| Time: | 1015 - 1130 |
| Length of time observed: | 15 + 3 + 5 |
| Number: | one |
| Age: | Adult - breeding |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Antelope Island, at ranch woods. |
| County: | |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | Variable 15' to 50' |
| Optical equipment: | 7x35 binoculars |
| Weather: | Clear, warm 60 - 70 deg. F., calm general high in morning. [Prior weather] Persistent storms, rain & wind from NW from many days up to 19 May. 20 May clearing. |
| Light Conditions: | open shade, good light |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
A rich red-brown on all upper surfaces. Under parts mostly white.
Throat mottled or indistinctly spotted, dark on buff background. Breast &
belly white. Dark eye, no eye ring seen. 5-6" long, body shape like
smaller scale robin but not as heavy in body. Seen several minutes at three different times during in hour's period. [Variations form expected field marks] Brown of head and back quite red - artist's color of Redder than veery seen in east (PA & N.Y.) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | No sounds heard |
| Behavior: | Fed on ground, moved through undergrowth not more than 1' - 2' above ground, moved every few seconds but only 1' to 3' each time. Seen for 1-2 minutes with Hermit Thrush within 2'. No apparent interaction. |
| Habitat: | Wettest portion of riparian-type woods along bank of small stream or swampy area, east of ranch spring house. Moved once to base of Russian Olive grove nearby to S. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Hermit Thrush - Less uniform color of back, more pronounced breast spots with
extend further down on belly Swainson's thrush - Has tan or buff eye ring, more distinct breast spots |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have seen in Cache County, singing on perch, seen also in Penna. & N.Y. state. Hermit & Swainson's Thrushes well known and seen several times at same place on Antelope Island. |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | Notes made at time of sighting |
| Observer: | Donald A. Hadley |
| Observer's address: | 111 E. 3700 S.., Bountiful, Utah 84010 [phone] 801-292-1376 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: |
John Belmon, Sunset, Utah Ogden Audubon & U.F.O. And other Ogden Audubon members See Belmon's report same date [not in files] |
| Date prepared: | 22 May 83 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |