Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2013-22


Common name:

Winter Wren

Scientific name: Troglodgytes hiemalis
Date: October 17, 2010
Time: 11:00 am
Length of time observed: 10 minutes
Number: 1
Age: adult
Sex: ?
Location: Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park
County: Davis
Latilong:  
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: 10-20 feet
Optical equipment: Pentax 10x43 binocs, Nikon 8x42 binocs
Weather: 65 degrees, warm
Light Conditions: good
Description:        Size of bird: small
(Description:)       Basic Shape: wren
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: brown
(Description:)            Bill Type: narrow, pointed
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Slightly curved bicolored bill. Light gray-brown crown and nape. Dark eye, faint gray eyebrow. Gray-brown pattern on cheeks, grayish throat and upper breast, belly has gray-brown speckling. Sides of breast paler than the back. Wings, back and tail were light rufous brown and patterned. Short stubby tail held cocked.
(see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery: Called several times. Was lower pitched and less strident than Pacific Wren call
Behavior: Hopping and feeding around downed trees
Habitat: riparian spring and pond, with nearby grass and marsh.
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Only similar species are other wrens. Only the Pacific Wren is similarly sized and shaped. Pacific Wren is different from Winter Wren in several ways:
- darker rufous-brown overall
- less patterned
- brown eyebrow
- dark throat and breast, with little or no pattern
- sides of breast same dark color as back
- crown, cheek and nape are all dark brown
- call is higher pitched and sharper
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
Many sightings of Pacific Wren, both in Utah and on the West coast.
A few looks at Winter Wren in New England.
References consulted: Sibley, internet sources
Description from: From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Joel and Kathy Beyer
Observer's address: Salt Lake City, UT
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: Steve and Cindy Summerfeld, Dean DiTommaso
Date prepared: February 20, 2013
Additional material: Photos
Additional_Comments: Report was delayed due to procrastination, and hoping one of the other observers would do it.