Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Common Redpoll
Scientific name:	Psaltriparus minimus
Date:	8 Nov 2012
Time:	2:50 PM
Length of time observed:	~ 2 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	unknown
Sex:	unknown, but not adult male. Probably HY female, but I have no experience aging and sexing this species.
Location:	Mouth of Steel Canyon, north of Clarkston
County:	Cache
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	~10 ft.
Optical equipment:	10x42 binoculars and Nikon D90 with 80-400mm lens
Weather:	Mix of sun and clouds, breezy. Warm for this time of year, ~58F.
Light Conditions:	Good, mix of direct and overcast light.
Description: Size of bird:	Small finch.
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Small finch.
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	See photos.
(Description:) Bill Type:	Short and pointed, yellow with dusky tip.
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Please see photographs and similar species section below.
Song or call & method of delivery:	Mostly silent, but heard calling as it flew from one shrub to another, "chit-chit-chit".
Behavior:	Feeding on catkins in the top of a birch tree, loosely associated with a flock of about 30 American Goldfinches.
Habitat:	At the mouth of a canyon where juniper dominated hillsides meet dry agricultural fields.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	With the short, pointed yellow bill, red cap on top of the head, blackish lores, forehead, and chin and overall whitish and brown pattern on a small finch, the only possible confusion species is Hoary Redpoll. This individual had a slightly longer bill than expected for Hoary Redpoll. The streaking on the flanks was extensive, more so than on even a first-year female Hoary. Most importantly, the undertail coverts were densely and thickly streaked, with the central covert more dark brown than white.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I have seen Common Redpoll on one previous occasion in Utah (see record 2008-05), once in Minnesota, and on many occasions while working as a guide on St. Paul Island, Alaska, where they are regular migrants. I have seen Hoary Redpolls on several occasions in the same job at the same location.
References consulted:	Sibley Guide to Birds, Pyle's Identification Guide to North American Birds.
Description from:	Notes taken at time of sighting
Observer:	Ryan P. O'Donnell
Observer's address:	1098 Crescent Dr., Logan
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other Observers:	Andrew Durso and J.D. Willson.
Date prepared:	8 Nov 2012
Additional material:	Photos
Additional_Comments: