Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2005-37(R83)
1983 sighting resubmitted in September 2005
Information for this record is taken from
a UFO sight record received 6 Apr 1983.
| Common name: |
Le Conte's Thrasher |
| Scientific name: | Toxostoma lecontei |
| Date: | 5 Mar 1983 |
| Time: | 1310 |
| Length of time observed: | 30 min. |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Male in breeding plumage |
| Location: | Beaver Dam Slope, 0.8 mi. N. of Ariz-Ut. state line & 1.2 mi. W. of Hwy 91. T43S, R19W, sec. 26 SE 1/4 |
| County: | [Washington] |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 60 to 200' estimated |
| Optical equipment: | 7x35 binocs. 20x scope; 35 mm camera with 300mm lens |
| Weather: |
Clear, winds SW at 5 mph., 60 deg. F.; (Prior weather:) several days of rain & wind prior to this day. |
| Light Conditions: | good, sun to observers back |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Length of bird was approximately 10-11 inches. Coloration of upperparts
excluding tail was uniformly tan or sandy. Underparts were lighter than
upper parts - very light sandy except under tail coverts which were buffy.
Tail was quite long and slender (~ 4 inches), & light brown (much darker than
back). Bill was dark, slender, and decurved, but not as decurved as
Crissal Thrasher. Eye was dark. Legs were dark. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | A series of musical phrases. Lacked the repitition of notes common with Crissal thrasher. |
| Behavior: | Bird was first observed singing from the top of a Joshua tree. Later flew to ground and ran with tail held up at an angle: (see drawing) |
| Habitat: | Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) & Amborsia dumosa with scattered Joshua trees. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Bendire's Thrasher: coloration is darker - grayish-brown, iris is yellow,
& bill is less decurved. Underparts usually are lightly streaked. Crissal Thrasher: Dark brown plumage, rufous undertail coverts, yellow iris. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
|
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | |
| Observer: | Steven Hedges |
| Observer's address: | 889 S. Cedar Knolls W., Cedar City, UT 847?? Phone: 801 586-3420 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: |
Merrill Webb 224-6113 Mark Bromley 375 - 1564 5 others |
| Date prepared: | 8 Mar 1983 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |