Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2008-25
| Common name: |
Magnolia Warbler |
| Scientific name: | Dendroica magnolia |
| Date: | 09/12/08 |
| Time: | 3:30pm |
| Length of time observed: | 2 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | 1st fall |
| Sex: | female? |
| Location: | 8000 West 2200 South |
| County: | Salt Lake |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4200' |
| Distance to bird: | 25' |
| Optical equipment: | 10x42 optics, 400mm camera lens |
| Weather: | Sunny and Clear |
| Light Conditions: | Good light, the bird was in russian olives, but not in bad light |
| Description: Size of bird: | small |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | passerine |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | yellow, gray black and white |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | tiny pointed |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
This individual was working through a large patch of trees with a flock of
approximately 25 birds including 7 other species of warbler. Although
superficially it could be confused with a Nashville Warbler, it had all the
field marks to eliminate that species. The bird was gray over most of the body, with a yellow wash on the throat, chest and belly. There was a pale gray strap of feathering across the neck, and the back was an olive color. The under-tail coverts were stark white, in contrast to the yellow of the belly. There were some faint dark streaks on the flanks. The wing was dark, not quite black, but dark gray I suppose, with two white wing bars, neither of which was very bold, but obvious still. The tail was longish, and white from the base about half way to the tip. From the half-way mark to the tip the tail was black from underneath. There was a slight white eye-ring and a small pointed bill that was still somewhat pinkish. (see photo) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none |
| Behavior: | feeding |
| Habitat: | Russian Olives at a "migrant trap" |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
I guess Nashville would be the most similar here in Utah, but it has yellow
undertail coverts and lacks the wing pattern, as well as the tail pattern. I did not consider any other species. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have seen numerous Magnolia while living in Indiana and Wisconsin and lots of Nashville here in Utah. |
| References consulted: | none |
| Description from: | From memory |
| Observer: | Tim Avery |
| Observer's address: | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Observer's e-mail address: | tanager@timaverybirding.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | none |
| Date prepared: | 09/15/08 |
| Additional material: | Photo |
| Additional Comments: |