Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Philadelphia Vireo
Scientific name:	Vireo philadelphicus
Date:	10/02/12
Time:	2:30 pm MT
Length of time observed:	5 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	UNK
Sex:	UNK
Location:	Private residence along the Santa Clara River edge, St. George
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	10-12 ft
Optical equipment:	Nikon D300s camera/600mm F4 lens on Wembly Head/tripod
Weather:	Sunny
Light Conditions:	Excellent
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	completely yellow undersides
(Description:) Bill Type:	Hooked at end
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Was photographing birds in my sister-in-law's back yard area which borders on the Santa Clara River's edge. This vireo popped up, started taking pictures as it moved from branch to branch hunting for insects. Did not think much of it other than I was having a tough time IDing the bird for Utah primarily due to the undersides being completely yellow. Could tell it was a vireo due to the hooked bill and the eye stripe. (see photo)
Song or call & method of delivery:	No vocalization
Behavior:	Hunting for insects.
Habitat:	Scrub brush along river's edge; some oak and willow
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Knew it was a vireo; hoping for a western vireo as I'm from the Midwest and hoping to get more western species. In looking at my field guide the only vireo that had yellow on all the undersides seemed to be the Philadelphia Vireo, a species that we see during migration here in Northern Illinois.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	As a bird bander I have identified, held, and banded this species during spring and or fall migration.
References consulted:	Sibley~Field Guide to Birds~Western North America
Description from:	From memory
Observer:	John Longhenry
Observer's address:	216 Ellsworth Street, Rockford, Illinois 61103
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other Observers:	Mark Stackhouse and Jeff Cooper both saw my pictures; Mark suggested that I send in this report. Rick Fridell has copies of all the pictures that I took of this bird
Date prepared:	10/29/12
Additional material:	Photo
Additional_Comments:	Glad I asked some people from Utah to help me solidify the Identification of this bird. Did not realize that it was that rare of an occurence here.