Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Brown Thrasher
Scientific name:	Toxostoma rufum
Date:	9/28/2020 and 9/29/2020
Time:	17:00 and 9:15
Length of time observed:	4 minutes and 8 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge - Picnic Area
County:	Juab
Latilong:	39.850223, -113.396039
Elevation:	1490 meters
Distance to bird:	20 feet
Optical equipment:	Vortex 8X42. Canon R with 400mm lens.
Weather:	Day 1: Clear, calm and 75F. Day 2: Clear, calm and 40F.
Light Conditions:	Clear and bright.
Description: Size of bird:	Large songbird
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Thrasher shaped
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Rusty red, cinnamon. Dark streaks on a cream colored breast.
(Description:) Bill Type:	Long, straight, prominent.
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Bright rusty-cinnamon colored. Yellowish eyes. Extensive black streaking on cream-colored breast. Larger than thrush. Prominent black, straight beak. Bird was photographed on both days. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	No call. Heard foraging in leaves and underbrush was first indication of bird's presence.
Behavior:	Foraging in leaves and underbrush.
Habitat:	Spring surrounded by deciduous trees and riparian shrubs. Complex of wetlands and open water to the east, arid desert shrubs to the west. One of only patches of deciduous trees in West Desert region.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Hermit or Swainson's thrush similar color, but more dull, beak less prominent, black eyes, shorter tail. Wood Thrush similar colors, but has spots instead of streaks and black eye and smaller, shorter tail. Sage Thrasher similar size, streaked breasts and behavior. Sage Thrasher color much more dull brown, compared to bright rust-cinnamon color. Sage Thrasher has less prominent white and black wing bars. Long-billed Thrasher similar appearance, but more gray on face and considered much more unlikely based on known distribution.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Have observed this species many times while living in eastern United States.
References consulted:	Sibley's bird guide. Photos on ebird.org.
Description from:	From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Janice Gardner
Observer's address:	3173 East Barnwood Bay
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Colby Neuman at ebird.org requested this record be submitted.
Date prepared:	10/1/2020
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	Assumed the same bird was observed on both days as it was in the same location.