Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2014-001a
| Common name: |
Streak-backed Oriole |
| Scientific name: | Icterus pustulatus |
| Date: | 12/26/13 -confirmation photos on 1/2/14 |
| Time: | 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM |
| Length of time observed: | 1 hour |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | Probable female or immature male |
| Location: | Greenspring golf course-Greenspring Dr. and Cove Dr. |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | about 2,400 ft |
| Distance to bird: | 50 ft |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon Monarch 8X42 |
| Weather: | Clear-around 30 degrees |
| Light Conditions: | sun at low angle - first light |
| Description: Size of bird: | 8 in. |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | oriole |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | yellow with greenish back |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | black-straight-not curved like hooded |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Bird_Description: Oriole shape - straight thick black beak -black extends to eye
and small bib -greenish on back- very yellow on head and belly with orange tones
around the face - streaks on back identified later (photos supplied by Kevin Wheeler confirming bird ID) (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Heard typical oriole chatter |
| Behavior: | Initial roosting sighting then foraging on later sightings |
| Habitat: | Honey and screwbean Mesquite/tamarisk/cottonwoods wetlands/riparian some desert willow planted/palm trees around golf course housing developments - area is bullocks/hooded oriole nesting area |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Initially only Hooded eliminated due to straight bill - presumed to be immature Bullocks - but yellow belly seen on following sightings and discussing with Dr. JV Remsen LSU and then Kevin Wheeler - Biologist DWR UT - made the bullocks ID not viable - Kevin and I looked at the field guide on 1/2/14 and it appeared to look like one of the exotic orioles. We noticed the orange near the face and Kevin said he would get a better look. In addition- Van Remsen and Rick Fridell DWR UT made comments on the photos pointing toward a Streaked-backed. He later sent me the photos of the streaked-back. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
None- only Bullocks/hooded and a few scotts |
| References consulted: | Nat. Geo. Field Guide to Birds/Sibley Field Guide |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Russell Schreiner |
| Observer's address: | 927 Laguna Lane Washington UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Kevin Wheeler and Rick Fridell DWR UT |
| Date prepared: | 1/8/14 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: |