Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2014-0
24


Common name:

Ovenbird

Scientific name: Seiurus aurocapilla
Date: 09/19/2014
Time: 10:50 a.m.
Length of time observed: 15 minutes
Number: 1
Age: unknown
Sex: unknown
Location: Garr Ranch, Antelope Island
County: Davis
Latilong:  
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: 10 feet
Optical equipment: Binoculars, Camera
Weather: Clear
Light Conditions: Excellent
Description:        Size of bird: Approx 6 inches
(Description:)       Basic Shape: Plump Body Shape
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: Olive Brown above white below with black streaking on breast and sides
(Description:)            Bill Type: small warbler like
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Bold eyeing, brownish olive above, heavy breast and side streaks. Relatively short tail, legs and lower mandible pinkish. It had two crown stripes.
(see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery: none heard
Behavior: Stayed on ground head bobbing was rustling around in the undergrowth.
Habitat: Under Olive trees near pond
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
When first seen we thought it was possibly a Northern Waterthrush. It seemed too small for those species and we eliminated waterthrush since it lacked the bright supercillium and the bill seemed to large. Also Northern Waterthrush we've seen in the past had a yellow wash on their sides this bird was a striking white.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
Saw an Ovenbird a few weeks earlier in a different location at the ranch.
References consulted: The Warbler Guide
Description from: From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Norm Jenson
Observer's address: 1564 Blueberry Hill, Sandy, Utah
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: Gail Jenson, Joel and Kathy Beyer
Date prepared: 09.19.14
Additional material: Photos
Additional_Comments: There is an outside chance this is the same bird that was reported from Garr Ranch a couple of weeks ago. I've compared my photographs with photographs taken of the earlier bird and it seems probable that they are different birds.