Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2013-52


Common name:

Baltimore Oriole

Scientific name: Icterus galbula
Date: 5/22/13
Time: Noon
Length of time observed: 10 minutes
Number:  1
Age: Adult
Sex: Male
Location: Springdale Utah just outside the Sol Foods store
County: Washington
Latilong:  
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: 5 meters
Optical equipment: Stokes 8x42
Weather: Sunny
Light Conditions: Sunny
Description:        Size of bird: 9 inches--Robin sized
(Description:)       Basic Shape: Oriole shaped
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: Orange overall with complete black hood
(Description:)            Bill Type: Slender and long
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
First heard a song which I identified as an oriole song. I have extensive experience with Scott's and Bullocks and I knew it wasn't one of those. Shortly after, the bird flew into sight and I noticed an orange oriole with a complete black hood. I also noticed that the tail was not black-tipped like Bullocks. A co-worker from Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory played the Baltimore song on her iPhone and it was an identical match. The bird didn't respond to the song, but instead flew off.
Song or call & method of delivery: Singing. Matched with iPhone.
Behavior: Feeding in Cottonwood tree.
Habitat: Urban
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Bullocks Oriole: song didn't match. Had a complete black hood and no black tail tip.

Orchard Oriole: the bird was orange overall and not reddish.

Scott's Oriole: orange instead of yellow. The song did not match Scott's.

Hooded Oriole: orange in tail, complete black hood.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
One young male at Fish Springs NWR
References consulted: Sibley, iBird app for iPhone.
Description from: From memory
Observer: Carl Ingwell
Observer's address: Salt Lake City
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: Galen and Angela (don't know last names) of RMBO
Date prepared: 6/9/13
Additional material:  
Additional_Comments: