Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2015-27
| Common name: |
Red Phalarope |
| Scientific name: | Phalaropus fulicarius |
| Date: | 09-01-2015 |
| Time: | 09:00am |
| Length of time observed: | 10 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult,non-breeding plumage |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Antelope Island maria, Great Salt Lake |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4200ft |
| Distance to bird: | 15m |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon 10x50 Binoculars, Canon SX50 hs Digital Camera |
| Weather: | Sunny and clear, 70F |
| Light Conditions: | Excelent |
| Description: Size of bird: | Small shorebird, 8in |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | typical Phalarope |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | grayish back, white under parts, black mask |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Short and thin |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
In the field what caught my eye was a Phalarope that appeared paler and slightly
larger that the others it was with, so I began taking photos, and once I looked
at the photos the yellow bill base was apparent.
(see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none heard |
| Behavior: | Feeding in the Great Salt Lake, in the marina near the docks, mixed with several Red-necked Phalarope |
| Habitat: | Salt Water of the Great Salt Lake. Every year Phalarope gather here by the hundreds of thousands July-September. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
To my knowledge no other Phalarope besides a Red can have yellow in the bill, so that pretty much rules out all other species. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, saw one in 2014 |
| References consulted: | 'Shorebirds of North America' D. Paulson 2005. 'The Sibley Guide to Birds' D.A. Sibley 2014 |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 688 East 700 South #105, SLC, UT 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | none |
| Date prepared: | 10-14-2015 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: | eBird checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S24866057 |