Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Black-throated Blue Warbler
Scientific name:	Setophaga caerulescens
Date:	13/7/2025
Time:	9:30 am
Length of time observed:	20 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Male
Location:	White Pine Hollow Trail, Santaquin Canyon
County:	Utah
Latilong:	39�'39.1"N 111�'25.5"W
Elevation:	7,000 ft
Distance to bird:	30 feet
Optical equipment:	10 x 42 Vortex binoculars
Weather:	70 degrees Fahrenheit, sunny little to no wind.
Light Conditions:	Direct morning light in the canyon
Description: Size of bird:	5 (13cm)
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Warbler shaped, small bill, medium length tail.
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Black, dark blue, white
(Description:) Bill Type:	Short thinner bill, clearly made for gleaning in foliage.
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	First heard an odd, short 3 part buzzy song. Immediately knew it was some sort of black throated warbler due to song structure , quality and distinct buzzy song. I started my recording and started searching for the bird. After several minutes of continual singing I got a good look at a warbler with a distinct black throat that split around the chest and extended into the flanks, dark blue going from the back all the way to create almost a hood on the top of the head. Clearly saw white wing patches on upper primaries near the coverts along with whit beneath the shoulders. All white belly and under tail coverts. Also had pinkish legs.
Song or call & method of delivery:	Song started with a quiet buzz ascending to a higher louder second and third buzz. (eBird audio)
Behavior:	Singing and foraging high in the canopy
Habitat:	High in the canopy of strictly deciduous trees, never saw it go into any conifers. Along riparian zone right on the Santaquin River.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	First eliminated Black-throated Gray Warbler by song and habitat, no black and white streaking etc. Also eliminated Black-throated Green Warbler due to coloration. Eliminated Cerulean Warbler by song and clear strong black on this bird. American Redstart by coloration and song, same with Dark-eyed Junco and others.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Last year I was able to see the same species in Salt Lake County, did not hear that one singing due to it being November. I went on a warbler trip this spring to the gulf coast where I saw many of the other potential warblers this experience helped a lot with my warbler identification.
References consulted:	Sibley Bird Field Guide app, Audubon Bird Guide app, different sources of audio on the Macaulay Library.
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Asher Lee
Observer's address:	Currently in between homes. No current address.
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Unfortunately I was alone at the time I found it. Later I brought KC Childs and Jesse Lee up to find it again, they both saw and heard this bird.
Date prepared:	27/7/2025
Additional material:	Recording from eBird chceklist
Additional comments:	Unfortunately did not have my camera with me so I was not able to obtain photos.