Sighting Record for Utah

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: