Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2013-73
| Common name: |
Blackburnian Warbler |
| Scientific name: | Dendroica Fusca |
| Date: | October 9, 2013 |
| Time: | 1:30 p.m. |
| Length of time observed: | 15 seconds |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Male? |
| Location: | Lytle Ranch, Beaverdam Wash, Utah |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 15 Feet |
| Optical equipment: | 10x40 binoculars |
| Weather: | Clear, calm winds |
| Light Conditions: | Bright sunshine |
| Description: Size of bird: | Warbler size, 5" |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Warbler, with somewhat elongated head |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Dark head and back with obvious orange-yellow throat and breast |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Long, narrow, cylindrical |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
This bird was feeding in low (60") cover with a small group of Bushtits and one Townsend's Warbler. The bird was remarkable in that the overall shape was somewhat more streamlined than the Townsend's, the head was a bit flatter, and the bill seemed longer. The most striking characteristic was the definite yellow-orange throat and breast in comparison to that of the Townsend's that was close by. I also heard the bird vocalize twice as did two other birders with me who were more familiar with Blackburnian Warblers. I knew the bird was different but wasn't completely certain until I consulted three different field guides I had with me at the time, and confirmed the vocalizations heard with my birding companions and recordings of the vocalizations on I Bird Pro. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | A long series of very high see, see, see sounds |
| Behavior: | Moving about feeding in cover |
| Habitat: | Scrub brush |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
As indicated above, the bird was in the close company of a number of Bushtits, to which it bore no similarity, and one Townsend's Warbler which was similar but significantly more yellow in color on the throat and breast. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Experienced with Townsend's and Magnolia Warblers. This was my first Blackburnian. |
| References consulted: | Sibley's Guide to Birds; Ntl. Wildlife Fed. Field Guide to Birds of North America; National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Douglas Mead |
| Observer's address: | 151 W RIDGE RD, F12, SARATOGA SPRINGS, UT 84045 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Kendall Watkins, Ned Bixler, both identified the call |
| Date prepared: | 10-16-13 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional_Comments: |