Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 201
2-28


Common name:

Prothonotary Warbler

Scientific name: Protonotaria citrea
Date: 05-22-2012
Time:  
Length of time observed: ~ 30 min
Number: 1
Age: Adult
Sex: Male
Location: Lytle Ranch, Beaver Dam Wash
County: Washington
Latilong: 19
Elevation: ~ 850 m
Distance to bird: 5 m
Optical equipment: 8x42 binoculars
Weather: clear and calm
Light Conditions: sunny; bird often viewed in shade
Description:        Size of bird:  
(Description:)       Basic Shape:  
(Description:)  Overall Pattern:  
(Description:)            Bill Type:  
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
While trying to relocate a Swainson s Thrush in the large mulberry tree in the orchard at Lytle Ranch I heard the distinctive flight seep of a Prothonotary Warbler high in the tree. I followed its movements via the call note for ten or so minutes before it dropped, following a moth, into the lower branches of the mulberry tree. I observed the warbler foraging for another ten minutes or so before continuing up to the Lytle pond; relocated it again in a nearby fruit tree an hour or so later.

Description:
Medium sized warbler with golden-yellow head, nape, and underparts, brightest in the center of chest. Olive green back, blue-gray wings, and very long white undertail coverts. Short tail, upperside blue-gray with white spots visible in flight; underside dark with white visible in outer rectrices. Black eye prominent on yellow face and large black bill.
(see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery: seep flight call, also occasionally gave this call while perched, rather than typical chip call note
Behavior: Actively foraging in a large mulberry and smaller nearby fruit trees; often explored/gleened clumps of dead leaves.
Habitat: old orchard adjacent to desert riparian area
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
very distinctive warbler
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: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird:  
Date prepared: 07-07-2012
Additional material: Photos
Additional_Comments: notes and description above copied from field notes written following sighting.