Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2020-69
| Common name: |
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch |
| Scientific name: | Leucosticte australis |
| Date: | 12 November 2020 |
| Time: | 1252 |
| Length of time observed: | 25 minutes |
| Number: | 2 minimum. |
| Age: | Unknown. |
| Sex: | Unknown. |
| Location: | La Sal Mountain Loop Road, Pinhook Overlook |
| County: | Grand |
| Latilong: | 38.560205, -109.290361 |
| Elevation: | 7,615 |
| Distance to bird: | Varied from 3-60 yards. |
| Optical equipment: | 8x42 binoculars. |
| Weather: | 28F Partly cloudy. BWS 2 Light breeze. |
| Light Conditions: | Bright. |
| Description: Size of bird: | Small. |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | On the ground, more horizontal than vertical, 'solid' body. Perched, 'tipped' rather than 'upright' posture. |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Brownish uppers with pinkish (rosy) flanks. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Cone shaped. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Conical yellowish bill with dark tip. "Warm" brown uppers. Forehead darker,
brownish black. Crown mottled brown/gray. Flight feathers dark with light
edging, greater coverts lighter. Breast warm brown. Tail slightly forked. Belly
and flanks rosy. Legs and feet black. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | "Chew" calls from mixed Rosy-Finch flock in flight. Could not identify which birds were calling. |
| Behavior: | Actively foraging below and along the edge of the road. At times the mixed flock burst into flight out over the valley, then pivoted to return to foraging. |
| Habitat: |
Somewhat steep slopes, rocky outcrops. Pinyon Pine, Juniper and
Gambel's Oak had burned in early 2000's. Trees largely gone, mostly mixed grass,
low shrub, weeds. Black-top road runs thru it. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch had very obvious gray crowns. Black Rosy-Finch had obvious black tints to plumage and gray headband. All three species seen together afforded real-time comparison. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
First observation of BCRFs was in 1991 while I was wintering in Slickrock CO. A flock came to my bird feeder. 8 observations of this and other RF species from JAN thru MAR 2020. |
| References consulted: |
7th edition Nat Geo Field Guide to the Birds. Cornell's online BOW. |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Steve Heinrich |
| Observer's address: | HC64 BOX2913 Castle Valley UT 84532-9613 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: |
From my photo- Glenn Kincaid Janice Gardner |
| Date prepared: | 16NOV'20 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | Seen again 14+15NOV. More photos. |