Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2024-42
| Common name: |
White-winged Crossbill |
| Scientific name: | Loxia leucoptera |
| Date: | 6/24/24 |
| Time: | 10:15 |
| Length of time observed: | 1 minute |
| Number: | 2 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | 1 male, 1 unknown |
| Location: | Silver Lake, Big Cottonwood Canyon |
| County: | Salt Lake |
| Latilong: | 40.604926, -111.584136 |
| Elevation: | 8700' |
| Distance to bird: | 80' |
| Optical equipment: | 10x50 vortex viper |
| Weather: | Sunny, clear, ~74°F |
| Light Conditions: | Bright, clear |
| Description: Size of bird: | Sparrow-sized |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Song bird-shape |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Rose pink with black wings and tail, white wing bars |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Thin, hooked, crossed at tip |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Located at first from rapid chatter song, changing in pitch after a few seconds. Saw one male on top of a spruce: crossbill with rose pink head, back, and chest; black wings and tail; and two white wingbars. Heard two individuals, saw one. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Musical chattering; continually changing pitch after a few seconds |
| Behavior: | Sitting on top of spruce, then flushed |
| Habitat: | Mountain conifer forest |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Red Crossbill only other crossbill species, eliminated due to rosy pink coloration and white wingbars |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Seen in this location the past three years, also seen in Wisconsin. |
| References consulted: | None, by experience. |
| Description from: | From memory |
| Observer: | Ian Batterman |
| Observer's address: | 8538 S. Harvard Park Dr |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 6/28/23 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |