Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2002-36
| Common name: |
Common Redpoll |
| Scientific name: | Carduelis flammea |
| Date: | October 22-24, 2002 |
| Time: | all times of the day |
| Length of time observed: | 20 minutes at a time. Sometimes only a minute |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | 1st year? |
| Sex: | female |
| Location: | Orem |
| County: | Utah |
| Latilong: | Salt Lake, Provo |
| Elevation: | 4500 ft. |
| Distance to bird: | two to three feet-15 feet |
| Optical equipment: | Baush and Lomb binoculars 8x42 |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Light Conditions: | excellent. |
| Detailed description of bird: |
It had the distinct red cap on top of it's head. It also had a yellowish
orangish bill. It had streaks on its undertail coverts. Streaks on the sides of
the bird. Black under the bill and above the bill. White eyelines above and
below eye. Does not form an entire ring. Black legs. White on breast. [see photo] |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none |
| Behavior: | I only saw it in my Gambel Oak in my backyard. It would land high in the tree then slowly jump from branch to branch down to the thistle feeding sack. Would often come in with Lesser Goldfinches to the feeder. Would act much like the Lesser Goldfinches. Would flip every which way on the thistle sack. |
| Habitat: | suburban backyard, Orem Utah, Gambel Oak tree. |
| Similar
species and how were they eliminated: |
Similar_Species_Elimination: Hoary Redpoll. I eleminated it due to the very streaked undertail coverts. It had a much more heavily streaked sides. A fatter bill then would have a Hoary. Much darker overall then would a Hoary. |
| Previous experience with this & similar species: | I have seen this species two seperate times this year alreday. Once in Mantua Utah, and at a feeder in Provo Utah. I have never seen a Hoary Redpoll |
| References consulted: | Sibleys guide to birds. National Geographic guide to birds. |
| Description from: | From memory |
| Observer: | KC Childs |
| Observer's address: | 731 west 580 south Orem, Utah 84058 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | utahguy058@yahoo.com |
| Other
observers who independently identified this bird: |
Eric Huish, John Childs and my mom Darolyne Childs |
| Date prepared: | November 12, 2002 (General Public) |
| Additional material: | Photo |
| Additional comments: |