Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2004-19


Common name:

Yellow-throated warbler

Scientific name: Dendroica dominica
Date: September 4, 2004
Time: 9:30 am
Length of time observed: At first for 10 seconds, later for 15 seconds
Number: 1
Age: adult
Sex: male
Location: River Lane in Lakeshore, Utah, about one mile upstream from where Spanish Fork River enters Utah Lake.
County: Utah
Latilong:  
Elevation: 4500 ft
Distance to bird: 50 ft
Optical equipment: 10x50 Celestron Ranger binoculars
 
Weather: lightly overcast, no wind, 68 F
 
Light Conditions: good
Detailed description of bird: Black top of head, gray back and tail. Two white wing bars. White belly and undertail. Bright yellow throat and breast with black streaking on sides. Black triangular-shaped cheek patch bordered by white ear patch behind it and strong white eye stripe.
Song or call & method of delivery:  none
Behavior: Flitting on the outer branches of a large willow in full view, at first being chased out of sight by a yellow-rumped warbler. On second sight, again foraging on the outside of a large willow and then disappearing inside.
Habitat: Dense riparian area with large willows, cottonwood and Russian olive along the banks of Spanish Fork River.
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Graces warbler has yellow lores and supercilium, gray cheeck area and no white patch. I consulted my Sibley after the first sighting to make sure my first impression was correct, and when I saw the bird again 15 minutes later, I paid close attention to the patterns on the head and throat and was made certain that this was indeed a yellow-throated warbler.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
I have seen the yellow-throated in Kentucky, and the Graces several times in southern Utah.
 
References consulted: The Sibley Guide to Birds
Description from: From memory
Observer: Tuula Rose
Observer's address: 1161 S 1060 E, Provo, UT 84606
Observer's e-mail address: tuularose@juno.com
Other observers who independently identified this bird: On 9/5/04 a group of six birders (Dana Green, Julie VanMoorhem, Pomera Fronce, Lu Giddings, Joel & Kathy Beyer) relocated the warbler at 11 am. On 9/6/04 it was seen again at 9:15 am (Dennis Shirley, Lu Giddings), at 10:30 am (David Wheeler, Larene Weiss, Laura Lockhart) and at 11:15 (Merrill Webb).
Date prepared: 9/6/04   (General Public)
Additional material:  
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