Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2011-48
| Common name: |
Northern Parula |
| Scientific name: | (Parula americana) [Setophaga americana] |
| Date: | 06-18-2011 |
| Time: | 08:30 am |
| Length of time observed: | 30 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | male?,based on the fact it was singing |
| Location: | City Creek Canyon,picnic site #13 |
| County: | Salt Lake |
| Latilong: | ? |
| Elevation: | 5,200 Feet |
| Distance to bird: | 15 feet |
| Optical equipment: | 10X50 Bushnell binoculars, Cannon SX20 Digital Camera |
| Weather: | Sunny, calm, 60 degrees |
| Light Conditions: | in the canopy of a tree,so lighting was in dapled shade |
| Description: Size of bird: | 6 inches long |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | warbler like |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | pale blue with yellow markings and white wing bars |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | long and thin(warbler like) |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
I first heard the bird while doing a breeding bird survey,but miss identified
the song as a Junco's. Later,while leaving the canyon,I spotted some Cedar
Waxwings,and stopped to check them out,when I heard the song again,and realised
it didn't quite sound right for a Junco. I listened to it for some time,trying
to locate the bird making it,and trying to place the song to a familiar
species,but it just didn't fit. After awhile I finally located the bird making
the sound in the top of a tree, and immediately noticed the lite blue
head,yellow throat and bill,partial white eye ring and white wing bars,and
thought, that can only be a NORTHERN PARULA. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | The bird made a high pitched ascending trill, repeated every 30 seconds or so for over 30 minutes. (listen to audio 1 and audio 2) |
| Behavior: | The bird was in the top of a small tree above the creek singing most of the time,until a McGillivray's Warbler chased it away. |
| Habitat: | Mixed deciduous/coniferous forest in a riparian area above a creek |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
The only other Similar Warbler here would be an Audubon Yellow-rumped Warbler,which sings a very different song I am familiar with, and lacks the blueish color,and the yellow bill. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
none,this was a lifer |
| References consulted: | Sibley Guide to Birds, D.A. Sibley, Xeno-canto.org (an internet database of bird songs and sounds) |
| Description from: | From memory |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 688 East 700 South SLC,UT 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | bryant_olsen@yahoo.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | none |
| Date prepared: | 10-03-11 |
| Additional material: | Photos, 2 videos, with audio of the song [ audio 1 and audio 2] |
| Additional_Comments: |