Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2006-09(R82)
(Transcribed by M. G. Moody)
| Common name: |
Philadelphia Vireo |
| Scientific name: | Vireo philadelphicus |
| Date: | 29 April 1982 |
| Time: | 5:45 p.m. to 5:55 p.m. |
| Length of time observed: | |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | - (Plumage: Spring - no change) |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Near Botany Pond, BYU Arboretum, BYU, Provo Utah |
| County: | Utah |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 80 ft. (estimate, after pacing to base of tree) |
| Optical equipment: | Bushnell 10x40 roof prisms |
| Weather: | |
| Light Conditions: | Sun behind me, bird towards east. Good light, clear sky, 50īs |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
When I initially saw this bird I identified it as a Warbling Vireo - it showed a white eye tripe with a darker stripe through the eye becoming somewhat darker in the lore region. The back, head, forehead rump & tail were a uniform gray green, greener than the familiar grayish green back of the Warbling Vireo. The under parts were vividly yellow, becoming less intense towards the belly. Sometimes a Warbling Vireo shows a slight "crest"; this bird did not. There were no wing bars and the eye itself was dark as was the bill. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | silent |
| Behavior: | Bird was feeding about 40 ft. up in a narrow lead poplar, deliberately moving from emerging leaf bundle to bundle. The bird stayed on the same section of the tree for the ten minutes I observed, moving and picking insects off the new leaves. |
| Habitat: | A hillside arboretum with artificial creek meandering through lots of underbrush, some exotic species of shrubs present. Trees are representative of the United States. This is a pretty "birdy" area I check once or twice weekly. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
After I initially thought Warbling Vireo, the yellow underparts made me
reconsider. The yellow I have seen on Warbling Vireos has always been
lightly imposed on the sides (when present). This guy was yellow from chin
to belly. The bill (thick) and stubby build discounted Tennessee Warbler, which in spring shows no yellow under parts anyway. There were plenty of orange-crowneds nearby for comparison. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I see lots of Warbling Vireos every summer. I have seen Tennessee Warbler once previously. I have never seen a Philadelphia prior to today. |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | Notes made after the observation |
| Observer: | Mark T. Bromley |
| Observer's address: | 1480 N. Jordan Ave, Provo, Utah 84604 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | (1982) |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |