Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2008-29
| Common name: |
Red-necked Grebe |
| Scientific name: | Podiceps grisegena |
| Date: | 4/21/08 |
| Time: | 6pm-ish |
| Length of time observed: | 45 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Little Dell Reservoir |
| County: | Salt Lake |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 25-100 yards |
| Optical equipment: | B&L Elites 8x42 and other people's scopes (Leica) |
| Weather: | Partly Cloudy - sun getting low |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | Medium to large grebe |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | grebe |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | dark brown, rusty chest, white cheek |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | long, pointed bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
A medium to large-ish sized grebe with a bright rusty chest/front of neck,
distinct white cheek/throat patch with a dark cap to the head and a sharp dagger
like bill that was more yellow/bright colored towards the base. Photos
diagnostic. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None |
| Behavior: | Diving periodically |
| Habitat: | Water |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Western/Clark's Grebe - rusty chest does not fit Pied-billed Grebe - bill way too long and pointed and wrong coloration Eared Grebe - does not have a rusty neck/chest Horned Grebe - bird size and bill shape too long for this species...as well as bill color...and the combination of a white cheek/throat with a bright rusty chest would have to be an amazing molting sequence in a Horned Grebe Loon species...shape, bill coloration, rusty chest/neck in combo with white cheek patch/throat and dark cap |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I've seen a few between New York, Wyoming and Utah. |
| References consulted: | Sibley |
| Description from: | From memory |
| Observer: | Colby Neuman |
| Observer's address: | |
| Observer's e-mail address: | colby.neuman@gmail.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Jeff Bilsky originally found the bird...Carl Ingwell, Tim Avery, myself and the Sommerfelds observed it that evening...it was observed by many for several days afterwa |
| Date prepared: | 10/20/08 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional Comments: |