Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2010-33
| Common name: |
Pyrrhuloxia |
| Scientific name: | Cardinalis sinuatus |
| Date: | 09/30/10 |
| Time: | 6;00 pm |
| Length of time observed: | 20 seconds |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Male |
| Location: | Lytle Ranch, Beaver Dam Wash |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 19 |
| Elevation: | ~ 850 |
| Distance to bird: | 10 m |
| Optical equipment: | 10 x 42 binoculars |
| Weather: | clear, calm, and hot (102) |
| Light Conditions: | afternoon sunlight |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | similar to a cardinal |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | red and grey |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | short, stubby, with strongly downcurved upper mandible |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Overall coloration bright red and gray. Head with a prominent, long, thin red
crest; gray forehead, crown, and nape; red face extending from top of bill down
to chin and behind eye; eye black on red face; short stubby pale bill (creamy
yellow colored); back and sides pale gray with red patch across chest and belly;
wings gray with red coverts, primaries, and secondaries; relatively long tail -
uppersurface gray, lower surface pale red, with gray undertail coverts; legs
black. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none heard |
| Behavior: | First observed in a pomegranite bush in the orchard. After a brief glimpse it moved across the trail into catclaw acacias where it perched for a minute or so before moving deeper into the acacias. I never relocated the bird despite extensive searching. |
| Habitat: | edge of orchard and thick catclaw acacia / desert willow thickets along edge of riparian cooridor |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
only the Northern Cardinal is similar in shape and dimensions, however Pyrruloxia coloration is unique and Northern Cardinal has a very large pinkish orange bill in all plumages. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
yes |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | Rick Fridell |
| Observer's address: | Hurricane, UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | rfridell@burgoyne.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 10-01-10 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: |