Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2009-18
| Common name: |
Palm Warbler |
| Scientific name: | dendroica palmarum |
| Date: | 11 October 2009 |
| Time: | about 1:00 pm |
| Length of time observed: | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Number: | one |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | unknown |
| Location: | Spanish Bottom just below the confluence of Colorado and Green River Canyonland NP |
| County: | Wayne |
| Latilong: | don't know |
| Elevation: | 3900 feet |
| Distance to bird: | as close as 20 feet |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon and Brunton binoculars |
| Weather: | calm and clear 70 plus degrees |
| Light Conditions: | excellent |
| Description: Size of bird: | warbler size |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | slender |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | brown with yellow around tail |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | slender warbler |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
notes taken in the field. we had a NGS field guide in our tent but not with us
at time: warbler? yellow much of vent, yellow some over tail. brown back and cap. very pale faint brown wingbars. white patch of tip in outer tail feathers. thin bill. eye line, faint yellow. brown tail. constantly bobbing tail. brown moustachial mark. streaking on breast that does not meet at center. (see photo) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | no call |
| Behavior: | feeding similar to yellow rumped. constantly bobbing tail. in and out of tamarisk and willow. also sometimes on rocks. |
| Habitat: | riparian strip along the river |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
at very first I thought it might be yellow rumped. shape seemed similar. the tail bobbing is very different. and the yellow in the vent also is very different. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
this bird had the light breast of the western subspecies. we have seen the eastern sub species in Texas and Wisconsin. |
| References consulted: | NGS at time. Sibley on return home. |
| Description from: | Notes taken at time of sighting |
| Observer: | Kay and James Wilson |
| Observer's address: | 2689 Highland, Bishop, California, 93514 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | jkwilson48@aol.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | just us two |
| Date prepared: | 10-16-09 |
| Additional material: | sketch on sighting of head and tail. . terrible digital snapshot. |
| Additional_Comments: | nice bird. nice website. thanks. |