Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-50
| Common name: |
Lark Bunting |
| Scientific name: | Calamospiza melanocorys |
| Date: | 5AUG'26 |
| Time: | 0830 |
| Length of time observed: | 10 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Unknown |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | 3way Pond |
| County: | Grand |
| Latilong: | 39.125528, -109.342284 |
| Elevation: | 4,765' |
| Distance to bird: | ~50 yards |
| Optical equipment: | Swarovski 8.5x42 bins. Kowa 20-60x 88mm spotting scope. |
| Weather: | Mild, ~70°F Clear of clouds but slight haze from wildfire smoke. BWS 2 Light breeze. |
| Light Conditions: | Good. Sun very slightly subdued by the haze. |
| Description: Size of bird: | Small. |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Stocky. |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Brownish above, streaks on light underparts. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Thick and conical. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Stocky bird with short tail. Head appeared large, perhaps due to large,
conical, bluish/gray bill. Outstanding field mark was the large whitish
wing patch - Median wing coverts white, outer greater coverts white. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Silent. |
| Behavior: | Initially observed drinking at the edge of the pond, then flew up into tamarisk and perched. |
| Habitat: | Brushy margins of stock pond. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
No similar species that I am aware of. Unique plumage. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
No experience with this species. Tis a Lifer for me. |
| References consulted: | Nat Geo Field Guide to the Birds of NA, Sibley Birds mobile app., Cornell's Birds of the World. |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Steve Heinrich |
| Observer's address: | Grand County UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Glenn Kincaid |
| Date prepared: | 20AUG'26 |
| Additional material: | Photos - https://ebird.org/checklist/S380281775, https://ebird.org/checklist/S382587682 |
| Additional comments: | I observed this bird while scoping the shore of 3way Pond. I quickly realized I didn't know the bird, and asked Glenn to take a look, whereupon he immediately IDed the bird. A familiar species to him. |