Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Hooded Warbler
Scientific name:	Setophaga citrina
Date:	05/16/2026
Time:	16:47
Length of time observed:	45 Min
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Male
Location:	Mossy Cave, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
County:	Garfield
Latilong:	37.663500° N, 112.114688° W
Elevation:	6978 ft.
Distance to bird:	30-100 ft.
Optical equipment:	Vortex Diamondback 8x42 binoculars; Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 binoculars, M.Zuiko 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS OM Systems OM-5 mk. I
Weather:	Cloudy with scattered rain
Light Conditions:	Bright Afternoon Light
Description: Size of bird:	Small
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Warbler
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Olive-yellow dorsal surface with a bright yellow belly. Black head framing a bright yellow face.
(Description:) Bill Type:	Straight Bill
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Small bird with olive-yellow wings and back. Very prominent black hood and throat framing a bright yellow face. 3 distinctive white tail feathers on the margins of each side of the tail seen when fanned and in flight. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Did not sing, possible attribution of a short chirping call.
Behavior:	Flitting through low vegetation and dead logs. Consistent tail fanning.
Habitat:	Shady undergrowth around a small stream.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Wilson's Warbler - Black on the Wilson's warbler head is limited to just the top of the head, in our bird it instead is more extensive and wraps around to the throat. Kentucky Warbler - Kentucky warbler lacks the white marginal feathers on the tail and the distinctive hood we observed. American Goldfinch - Robust yellow bill and black wings and tail differ from the bird we observed. Black is also limited to the antero-dorsal portion of the head in the goldfinch. Lesser Goldfinch - Short Black bill and black wings with white bars differ from observed bird. Black cap is still more limited than the observed bird.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	No experience with this species. However, relatively familiar with the western warblers and other small yellow birds common west of the Rockies.
References consulted:	Sibley Birds 2nd ed. (app), Merlin Bird ID, National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America 5th ed.
Description from:	From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Victoria McGaughey
Observer's address:	Pocatello, ID 83201
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Gary McGaughey
Date prepared:	05/25/2026
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	Photos of the bird were shown to Dr. Brandon Peecook and another avid birding friend with more experience with eastern warblers, both agreed with the ID. Photos will be sent to the address below. The photos and details of the sighting are also on eBird.