Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2014-019

Common name:

Whip-poor-will (Mexican)
Scientific name: Caprimulgus vociferus
Date: 6/6/13
Time: ~10:30 PM
Length of time observed: 2 minutes
Number: 1
Age: n/a
Sex: n/a
Location: Near Tropic Reservoir, just outside Bryce Canyon NP
County: Garfield
Latilong: n/a
Elevation: n/a
Distance to bird: Between 5 meters and 100 meters
Optical equipment: None
Weather: Clear
Light Conditions: Dark
Description:        Size of bird: n/a
(Description:)       Basic Shape: n/a
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: n/a
(Description:)            Bill Type: n/a
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:		 We did not actually see this bird.  It was singing very close to our camp.  I got excited, jumped up, and believe I flushed the bird.  It sang in the distance for a few minutes.  When I used playback to try and bring the bird closer, it actually had the opposite effect.  The bird got farther away until we could not hear it anymore.
Song or call & method of delivery: Diagnostic song of Mexican Whip-poor-will.  Compared in field with iBird Plus
Behavior: Singing just after sunset
Habitat: Ponderosa forest
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:		 Eastern Whip-poor-will:  Song was more reobust.

Common Poorwill:  Rather than the two-whistled note of the common poorwill, this bird was doing the diagnostic "whip-poor-will."

Mockingbird or other mimic:  None were present before sunset.  The single repetitive song was unlike the mixture of songs you would hear with a Mockingbird or other mimic.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:		 None w/ Whip-poor-will.  Numerous encounters with Common Poorwill throughout the state.
References consulted: iBird Plus (iPhnoe app) and The Sibley Guide to Birds
Description from: memory
Observer: Carl Ingwell
Observer's address:  
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: Brittany Badger
Date prepared: 6/9/2014
Additional material:  
Additional_Comments: This was undoubtedly the distinct call of a Whip-poor-will.  I immediately recognized the song, and 100% confident in my ID.