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: