Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Ovenbird
Scientific name:	Seiurus aurocapilla
Date:	5-21-2022
Time:	~7:15 a.m.
Length of time observed:	10 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Probable Male (Singing)
Location:	Matheson Preserve, Moab
County:	Grand
Latilong:	38.575391,-109.572889
Elevation:	4,025
Distance to bird:	30 feet
Optical equipment:	Leica Ultravid 8x42 HD and Canon 7D Mark II with 100-400 mm lens
Weather:	~55 degrees F, mostly sunny
Light Conditions:	Good
Description: Size of bird:	~6 inches
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Chunky Warbler
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Olive-brown, white and black
(Description:) Bill Type:	Thin, warbler like
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	I was birding with work colleagues at Matheson Preserve in Moab, when I heard a warbler sing I haven't heard for a few years, the classic "Teacher, teacher, teacher" song that increases in volume. I told everyone it was likely an Ovenbird and that we had to get eyes on it. The bird continued to sing, maybe 5 or 6 more times, about 30-40 feet away from us in thick underbrush. One of my colleagues was able to get eyes on the bird after about 6 or 7 minutes, and I was able to snap a couple of crappy photos. You can see in one of the photos the bird was singing while I took a picture. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Only heard song, a total of 6 or 7 times spread out over about 8-10 minutes. Very loud for a warbler, and increasing in volume through repetitive two part notes, each song repeating "teacher" 5 or 6 times.
Behavior:	Secretive, low, on the ground and in the brush.
Habitat:	Thick underbrush with canopy of Russian Olives and Cottonwood trees.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	The song is very distinctive, maybe the closest bird that I can think of is a Common Yellowthroat, although not as sharp/piercing and doesn't increase in volume through the song. Visually probably easier to confuse with thrush species in Utah, but the combination of a bold white eye ring, orange central crown stripe bordered by black on either side, and the bold black spots on a white chest were prominent and helped to distinguish the bird from other species.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	First Ovenbird I have seen in Utah. The last time I saw Ovenbirds was last spring in Texas, I have seen hundreds in Minnesota and Wisconsin. They nested behind my home in Wisconsin and are common breeders at our family cabin in Northern Minnesota.
References consulted:	Memory
Description from:	From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Max Malmquist
Observer's address:	2377 East Boyes Street
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	7 Audubon staff/colleagues with varying levels of experience with birds/Ovenbirds.
Date prepared:	5-24-2022
Additional material:	Photos https://ebird.org/checklist/S110874710
Additional comments: