Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 10-1998


Common name:

Black-and-white Warbler

Scientific name: Mniotilta varia
Date: 2 Jan 1998 & 1 Mar 1998
Time: Early morning both times. 
Length of time observed: Watched at close range for many minutes both times.
Number: One
Age:  
Sex: female
Location: Red Hills Golf Course, St. George, Washington Co. Utah
County: Washington 
Latilong:  
Elevation:  
Distance to bird:  
Optical equipment: 8x40 and 8x42 binoculars
Weather:  
Light Conditions:  
Detailed description of bird: A striped black and white warbler acting like a nuthatch. Head striped black and white with a white crown stripe bordered by two lateral black stripes, two white superciliums, and two thinner black eye-lines. The back was black and white striped. Wings gray with two white wing bars. Underparts from chin to under-tail white with black streaking on the sides.

Other details of observation: This bird was first found on the St. George CBC on 27 Dec. 1997. It was seen off and on by several observers since then but at times was hard to find. Our I Mar. 1998 sighting was the last time that I am aware of that it was seen. 

Song or call & method of delivery:  
Behavior: This bird obviously wintered here. Both times l saw it, it was actively feeding in its typical nuthatch style. Taking in the sum of all the sightings reported to me the bird utilized the whole golf course during its stay.
Habitat:  
Similar species and
how were they eliminated:
 
Previous experience with this & similar species:  
References consulted:  
Description from:  
Observer: Steve Summers
Observer's address: 2146 N. Chandler Dr., Cedar City, Utah 84720
Observer's e-mail address:  
Other observers who independently identified
this bird:
Matt & Pia DeVries, Josh Kreitzer, Lew Wilkinson (all on 2/1/98), Priscilla Summers (on 3/1/98)
Date prepared:  
Additional material: 3 Photos  -- Video taken of the bird during 2 Jan. sighting.  Photos included on this report captured from that video
   

Go to Main List of Sighting Under Review