Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Dickcissel
Scientific name:	Spiza americana
Date:	8/31/03
Time:	12:00 PM
Length of time observed:	5 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	1st winter
Sex:
Location:	Lytle Ranch
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	50 feet
Optical equipment:	10x42 B&L Elites
Weather:	Clear
Light Conditions:	Good
Detailed description of bird:	Large Sparrow sized bird. Brownish gray overall. There was a long very distinct pale supercilium. The throat and the submoustachial were withish. It had a dark malar stripe. The bill was pale gray colored and looked large and long for the size of the bird.The back had pale bold streaks that were very contrasting. I thought I may have saw some rufous color on the wing coverts but it was very hard to see. The underparts were a little paler than the back and wings and there was fine streaking on the sides of the breast and flanks. There was also a yellow wash on the center of the breast. The bird was missing it's tail feathers.
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	Eating seeds off the tall grass in the area.
Habitat:	Tall grass around a orchard with desert scrub.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	It can look similar to a few different Sparrows. But if seen well the bill size,back streaking and strong head pattern make it pretty distinct looking.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I have saw several in California.
References consulted:
Description from:	Notes made later
Observer:	Larry Tripp
Observer's address:	131 Butch Cassidy Trail Central, Utah
Observer's e-mail address:	LTRIPP29@HOTMAIL.COM
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Rick Fridell later that day. Merrill Webb, Alton T. and I went out the next day and were also able to relocate the bird.
Date prepared:	9/16/03
Additional material:
Additional comments: