Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Mourning Warbler
Scientific name:	Geothlypis philadelphia
Date:	May 20, 2015
Time:
Length of time observed:	about one minute
Number:	1
Age:	male
Sex:
Location:	Skipper Bay Trail
County:	Utah
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	20-25 feet
Optical equipment:	Binoculars 8.5x42
Weather:	Clear, sunny
Light Conditions:	Very good; sun behind me while looking at the bird and not behind the bird.
Description: Size of bird:	Warbler
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Warbler
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Yellow undersides and dark head/breast
(Description:) Bill Type:	Warbler-like
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	All the looks of a MacGillivray's Warbler except it had NO bold white eye-arcs or eye-ring of any kind. Very dark face/head/hood with the dark color extending onto throat/bib and breast; bright yellow on belly, undersides, and under the tail.
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	Kept low, never higher than 4-5 feet off ground
Habitat:	Low thick vegetation
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Same size and looks of a MacGillivray's Warbler which has bold white eye-arcs. The bird seen was identical to a MacGillivray's except it had NO bold white eye-arcs.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Previously seen at Pt. Pelee, Canada and Duluth, Minnesota areas.
References consulted:	The following field guides: Sibley Guide, 2E, page 479; National Geo, 6E; Stokes
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Alton Thygerson
Observer's address:	3300 Mohican Lane; Provo, Utah
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	none
Date prepared:	May 24, 2015
Additional material:
Additional_Comments:	It perfectly matches the Sibley, 2nd edition, page 479's illustration.