Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2015-44


Common name:

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Scientific name: Setophaga nigrescens
Date: October 03, 2014
Time: 12:00
Length of time observed: 1 hour off and on
Number: 1
Age: ?
Sex: Female
Location: Lytle Ranch, Beaver Dam Wash
County: Washington
Latilong: 19
Elevation: ~ 850 m
Distance to bird: 5 m
Optical equipment: 8 x 42 binoculars
Weather: clear
Light Conditions: mid-day
Description:        Size of bird:  
(Description:)       Basic Shape:  
(Description:)  Overall Pattern:  
(Description:)            Bill Type:  
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
A small bird flushed from the large pomegranate bush behind the marble Lytle Ranch sign and landed in the large ash tree. I noticed it because of it s rapid tik, tik , tik, tik call note. I had only a brief glimpse before it moved up into the large ash tree and then flew into the cottonwoods before I lost it. I suspected it was a female Black-throated Blue Warbler so I searched the area for another 30 minutes or so eventually relocating it working low in the underbrush near the pomegranate bush where it was originally feeding.

Description:
Upperparts rich olive green from head to tail, slightly darker olive wings with prominent white check midway along edge at the base of the primaries. Face dark olive green with a thin pale yellowish supercilium stripe stretching above eye, and a white arc below eye. Upperside of tail dark with a bluish green sheen / edging. Throat, breast, belly, sides, flanks, and under tail coverts buffy whiteish. Eye dark, and legs pale pinkish.
(see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery: rapid tik, tik , tik, tik call note
Behavior: feeding in pomegranites; foraging low through bushy shrubs
Habitat: plantings adjacent to desert riparian habitats
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
none applicable
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
yes
References consulted:  
Description from: Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Rick Fridell
Observer's address: Hurricane, UT
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird:  
Date prepared: 12-04-2015
Additional material: Photos
Additional_Comments: Description of sighting above copied from field notes