Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2013-25
| Common name: |
Common Redpoll |
| Scientific name: | Acanthis flammea |
| Date: | 19 February 2013 |
| Time: | noon |
| Length of time observed: | 5 min |
| Number: | 35 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | 4800W 4600 N south of Cache Junction and just west of Amalga Barrens |
| County: | Cache |
| Latilong: | 41 deg 50' 11'' N 112 deg, 0', 1" W |
| Elevation: | 4449 |
| Distance to bird: | 50 feet |
| Optical equipment: | Zeiss binoculars |
| Weather: | overcast, windy to 20-30 kts Temp near 20 degF |
| Light Conditions: | overcast |
| Description: Size of bird: | small, 4-5 inch max |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | finch like |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | brown with light pink breasts |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | finch like, dark |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Back of bird(s) was brown with prominent streaking. About half had prominent black chins and the other half less prominent chins. All had heavy brown streaking in the flanks. Beak was finch like and dark. Legs were dark. Pink seen on breast in about 1/3 of birds but constant movement of birds makes that an estimate only |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Raucous "chit chit chit' from most of the birds chirping at the smae time. |
| Behavior: | Small, leafless tree in front yard of residence had birds hopping from branch to branch in a random pattern. Not obviously feeding on anything. |
| Habitat: | small tree in suburban/rural yard |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Pine siskin: no yellow on wings or tail, beak finch like rather than slender Other finches: Too small and lacking bright red or orange belly of house finch. Purple unlikely here Hoary: Too dark Crossbills: No crossed bills. All bills well seen |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Seen on backyard feeders in Michigan |
| References consulted: | Sibleys, iBirdPro |
| Description from: | From memory |
| Observer: | John C Ruckdeschel, MD |
| Observer's address: | (local ) 1552 Redstone Dr. Park City Utah; (home) Las Vegas, NV |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | none |
| Date prepared: | 27 Feb 2013 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional_Comments: | I neglected to report as they are "common" this year but eBird editor asked me to file report. |