Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Northern Cardinal
Scientific name:	Cardinalis cardinalis
Date:	06/20/2010
Time:	27-Jun-2010 12:20:43 time stamp from camera
Length of time observed:	about 10 or 15 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	adult
Sex:	male
Location:	Ivins, Utah Willow Springs Cir. and Kayenta Way
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	20 yards
Optical equipment:	Canon 20D camera with 100-400 lens and binoculars
Weather:	clear and mid 90s
Light Conditions:	sunny and bright
Description: Size of bird:	kind of like a Stellar jay maybe a little smaller with a slightly longer tail
(Description:) Basic Shape:	kind of like a wax wing only thinner with longer tail
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	bright red head and body with duskier reddish long tail
(Description:) Bill Type:	sharp blunt kind of like a finch
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Red crest, longish tail, short blunt beak and dark eye bar. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	didn't hear a call of any kind
Behavior:	flighty, moving from branch to branch picking at pine cones
Habitat:	desert but in ponderosa pine near a home
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Never seen a bright red jay or cedar wax wing like bird in Utah before
Previous experience with this & similar species:	none
References consulted:	Audubon Field Guide to No. American Birds Western region
Description from:	From memory
Observer:	Bill Bates
Observer's address:	1179 South 300 East Payson
Observer's e-mail address:	slowpokebill@uswest.net
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Wanda Bates, Dave and Linda Callahan
Date prepared:	06/29/2010
Additional material:	Photos
Additional_Comments:	I'm not a birder so your going to getting a pretty lay description on some things. [Email with submission:] I filled out the form as best I could. I’m not a birder so take it for what it is worth. The cardinal flew across the road in front of me. I had to stop and backup to see what it was. I had never seen a bright red bird like this before. It was under the pine in some peoples yard picking. I knew it was a cardinal so I grab my camera which spooked him into the tree. He never did give me a good chance through the branches for a photo. I filled out the form as best I could hope that works for you. Bill