Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2013-97
| Common name: |
Chestnut-sided Warbler |
| Scientific name: | Setophaga pensylvanica |
| Date: | May 28, 2011 |
| Time: | 11:30 am |
| Length of time observed: | 15 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | male |
| Location: | Dead Horse Point State Park |
| County: | San Juan |
| Latilong: | 38.488532, -109.737625 |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 20 feet |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon Action 7-15x35 binoculars |
| Weather: | partly cloudy with slight breeze and temperatures in the 80's |
| Light Conditions: | midday sun made conditions perfect |
| Description: Size of bird: | smaller than a song sparrow, larger than a gnatcatcher |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | shaped like other Setophaga warblers |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | yellow cap, white cheeks, brown markings around eye and extending down malar, chestnut flanks, white/buffy wingbars, mottled brown/black/white back and wings, white belly chest and undertail coverts |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | small and pointed |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
The bird was a perfect example of a breeding plumage adult male Chestnut-sided Warbler. Yellow cap, black bill, dark brown around the eye and extending down the malar. Obvious chestnut flanks and two white/buffy wingbars. Underside was all white from throat to undertail coverts. Back, tail, and wings were a mixture of brown/black/white/tan but I'm not sure of the exact pattern. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | Perched and foraging in sagebrush |
| Habitat: | Arid sagebrush plateau |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
No other warblers have similar markings but the only other warbler seen that day was Black-throated Gray and this bird had a yellow cap and chestnut flanks. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I'm from central Pennsylvania and have probably seen many individuals of this species over the last several years. I'm also familiar with all other Eastern and most Western warblers (except for Pacific NW and Alaska) |
| References consulted: | The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America, The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Ian Gardner |
| Observer's address: | 8670 Presidents Drive, Hummelstown, PA 17036 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | December 29, 2013 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional_Comments: |