Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Varied Bunting
Scientific name:	Passerina versicolor
Date:	05/16/2017
Time:	12:10 PM
Length of time observed:	15-20 seconds
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Male
Location:	Fort Pearce Wash
County:	Washington
Latilong:	37.007042, -113.411422
Elevation:	2947'
Distance to bird:	Approximately 20'
Optical equipment:	10x Binoculars
Weather:	Clear
Light Conditions:	Sunny, some shadows on the bird from the foliage
Description: Size of bird:	Small
(Description:) Basic Shape:	passerine
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	dark, bluish, blotchy appearance
(Description:) Bill Type:	conical, curved culmen
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Dark overall, dark blue/reddish tones, back of head and nape were red, dark lores, blue rump. Tail was medium in length.
Song or call & method of delivery:	None
Behavior:	Typical perching behavior.
Habitat:	Desert riparian.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	As I have considered all possible similar species, none have a red nape and blue rump that I know of. Also, the blotchy, red/blue tones that were not well defined are characteristic of a Varied Bunting.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I have birded SE Arizona extensively and have seen several Varied Buntings, and I have taken photographs.
References consulted:	Sibley Guide.
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Maurice DeMille
Observer's address:	260 N MAIN ST, LA VERKIN, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	None
Date prepared:	04/02/2018
Additional material:
Additional comments:	When I saw the bird I immediately identified the red nape and blue rump. My initial impression was that this was definitely a Varied Bunting. Because of the short view- only 15-20 seconds, and the fact that I was not able to get a photo, I decided I was 99% sure that this was a Varied Bunting, but not 100%. Because I was not 100% sure I did not report it to you or on eBird. Other birders, including our regional eBird reviewer, said I should submit the observation to you and let the committee decide.