Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2014-0
29


Common name:

Ovenbird

Scientific name: Seiurus aurocapillus
Date: August 31, 2014
Time: 11:30 am
Length of time observed: 1hour (off and on)
Number: 1
Age: adult
Sex: ?
Location: Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park
County: Davis
Latilong:  
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: 10 feet
Optical equipment: 10x43 binos, 8x42 binos
Weather: warm (mid 80's), calm
Light Conditions: shady, with patches of sun
Description:        Size of bird: wood warbler (~ 6 in)
(Description:)       Basic Shape: thrush-like
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: olive back, white breast with black streaks
(Description:)            Bill Type: warbler-like but less pointed
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Pale pink bill, larger than typical warbler. Large dark eye with prominent white eye-ring. Pale orange crown stripe, bordered by dark line on each side, extending to nape. Upperparts of bird were entirely olive, including rest of head, cheek, back, tail, and wings. No wing bars. White throat separated from white malar by thin black stripe. Small amount of olive coloring to lower flanks. Otherwise, underparts entirely white, with black spots/streaks running down breast and flanks. Lower belly and undertail coverts were white and unmarked. Pink legs.
(see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery: none
Behavior: Slow jerky gait while foraging through leaf litter and fallen branches. When approached closely, it flew several feet to another ground location, and continued foraging.
Habitat: decidiuous woods, leaf and branch litter on ground
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Most similar to thrushes and waterthrushes in behavior and size/shape, but all other species eliminated by the combination of white underparts with black streaks, large white eye-ring, and orange stripe on crown.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
Seen previously in Utah, and various places back East. Very familiar with all other similar species (thrushes, waterthrushes).
References consulted: Sibley
Description from: From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Joel and Kathy Beyer
Observer's address: Salt Lake City, UT
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: Stephanie Greenwood, Paul Higgins, Edson Leite, and others.
Date prepared: October 14, 2014
Additional material: Photos
Additional_Comments: