Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2003-29
| Common name: |
Bronzed Cowbird |
| Scientific name: | Molothrus aeneus |
| Date: | 5-9-03 |
| Time: | 5:30 PM |
| Length of time observed: | About 2 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Female |
| Location: | Red Hills Golf Course in St. George |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | From 30 to 100 feet |
| Optical equipment: | 10 x 42 B & L Elites |
| Weather: | Mostly clear |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Detailed description of bird: | The bird was a medium sized Icterid. The upperparts were dark gray from the crown to the tail. The sides of the head and the throat were a lighter gray. The auricular area was darker gray and the bird had a red iris. The neck was very thick looking and it had a heavy looking bill. The underparts were a lighter gray color. [see photos] |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | The bird flew in and landed on a phone line. After sitting there for a minute or so it flew into a palm tree were there was a known Oriole nest. Than a male Oriole flew in from a tree behind me and went into the palm and chased the Cowbird out. It chased the Cowbird acrossed the golf course and out of sight. |
| Habitat: | Golf Course with a variety of trees surrounded by desert scrub. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
The female Brown-headed Cowbird and the female Shiny Cowbird are both browner overall. They are slimmer looking and they both have a smaller looking head and bill. They also both have dark eyes. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I have seen several female Bronzed Cowbirds in Arizona and California. |
| References consulted: | Sibley |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | Larry Tripp |
| Observer's address: | 332 Wells Fargo Rd. Brookside,Utah 84782 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | LTRIPP29@hotmail.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Glen Barlow was with me at the time of the sighting. Several other Utah birders also saw the bird at later dates. |
| Date prepared: | 7-23-03 (General Public) |
| Additional material: | [Photos by Rick Fridell] |
| Additional comments: | I also saw the bird on 5-10-03 and 5-22-03 |