Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 201
2-30a


Common name:

Roseate Spoonbill

Scientific name: Ajaia ajaja [Platalea ajaja]
Date: September l, 2012
Time: 8:20 am
Length of time observed: approx. 30 minutes
Number: 1
Age: adult
Sex:  
Location: Hite Overlook
County: Garfield & San Juan We moved to see it from both counties for better view
Latilong:  
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: several hundred yards
Optical equipment: Kowa scope
Weather: Temp. in 80s and no wind
Light Conditions: clear
Description:        Size of bird: approx. 32 inches
(Description:)       Basic Shape: general
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: white and pink
(Description:)            Bill Type: spatulate
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
bill was spatulate
color pink and white
shape
Song or call & method of delivery: none I could hear
 
Behavior: feeding, in a distinctive foraging action
Habitat: Colorada River
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
I have seen two other pink large birds. The geater flamingo, and the scarlet ibis, and this bird was completely different. Very easy to ID
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
1993 to 2000, we wintered in Florida. On almost every weekly trip our bird club took we saw 100s of these birds.
References consulted: Sibley but none needed
Description from: Notes taken at time of sighting
Observer: Ned Bixler
Observer's address: 1156 N 2920 W Provo, Utah
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: Dave Hanscom, Pat Jividen, Paul Lombardi
 
Date prepared: Sept. 3, 2012
Additional material:  
Additional_Comments: