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. |