Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Tennessee Warbler
Scientific name:	Leiothlypis peregrina
Date:	9/23/2025
Time:	9:04 AM
Length of time observed:	5 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	first year
Sex:	male
Location:	Halfway Wash
County:	Washington
Latilong:	St. George
Elevation:	2900 feet
Distance to bird:	10 to 20 feet
Optical equipment:	Zened 8 x 43 binoculars
Weather:	Sunny
Light Conditions:	morning sun
Description: Size of bird:	small warbler size
(Description:) Basic Shape:	passerine warbler
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	yellow and white
(Description:) Bill Type:	warbler bill
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	I was searching a warbler flock along Halfway Wash when I noticed a very different warbler than the numerous Orange-crowned Warblers in a grove of trees. I noticed a different yellow tone than the Orange-crowned I had been seeing, plus this bird had a white belly that extended into the under tail coverts. I followed the white in the belly up into the chest where it transitioned into a lemony yellow into the upper chest, and head. The back and wing color was also a nice yellowish or yellowish green coloration.I also saw a bit of yellow on the side flanks as it would fly. It had a sharp pointed bill that was in line with a warbler. The head showed light yellow eye arcs above the iris and a dark eye line running through the middle of the iris.The cap of the warbler was darker toned than the eye arcs. I didn't notice any prominent bold wing bars while watching it, but also I could have easily missed faint wing bars that blended in. It was a much more vibrant bird than the huge number of Orange-crowned I was watching. I would see it multiple times in 4 hours as I tried to photograph but never could get my camera to focus on the quick moving bird. I probably observed a total of 5 minutes that morning.
Song or call & method of delivery:	none heard
Behavior:	Actively feeding between different deciduous trees and moving with mixed warbler flock
Habitat:	Riparian corridor in suburban area.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Orange-crowned Warbler- This is the most likely bird to confuse it with. The key differences with this bird and orange-crowned is the vibrant white under tail coverts that go into the belly. The yellow on this bird was much more vibrant and different tone than any orange-crowned I've seen. The eye line was much darker and noticeable than I see on orange-crowned. I had at least 18 orange-crowned warblers around to compare it to. Vireos- The bill shape eliminates vireos of any kind. There were Warbling Vireos in the area and the yellow on this bird was much more vibrant than I've ever seen on a Warbling. Also a Yellow-throated Vireo vireo would have shown darker wings with bold wing bars. Ruby-crowned Kinglet- The white under tail coverts and sharp pointed warbler bill eliminates this bird. Nashville Warbler- A Nashville Warbler would have yellow under tail coverts and no eye arcs with a prominent darker eye line. Blackpoll Warbler- It was lacking prominent wing bars and dark wings. Bay-breasted Warbler- Same as the Blackpoll, lack of prominent wing bars and dark wings.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Seen in Utah and also many times in Alberta Canada
References consulted:	Sibley, Macaulay Library
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	KC Childs
Observer's address:	Orem, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Possibly some in November, see Additional Comments
Date prepared:	1/14/2025 [2026]
Additional material:
Additional comments:	The bird I saw strong resembles a Tennessee Warbler that was photographed in November by Esther Sumner and James Lovelace and then observed for a span of ten days by multiple observers. [record #2025-65] It is possible that the bird had stuck with the large Orange-crowned Warbler flock that was staying put in this area. Also I am very late submitting this as I didn't realize this was a review bird until I received an email from Colby Neuman asking me to submit it to the committee.