Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2015-07
| Common name: |
Brown Thrasher |
| Scientific name: | Toxostoma rufum |
| Date: | December 22, 2014 |
| Time: | 0820 |
| Length of time observed: | 2 min |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Brooks Park, St. George |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 19 |
| Elevation: | ~ 850 m |
| Distance to bird: | 5 m |
| Optical equipment: | 8 x 42 binoculars |
| Weather: | clear |
| Light Conditions: | bright sunlight |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
The Sommerfelds located a Brown Thrasher in the thick baccharis at Brooks Nature
Park in St. George on 12-21-14. I relocated it in the same area the following
day. The thrasher was very quiet, eventually giving a thick chuck call. Description: Rufous brown head, nape, back, uppertail coverts, and tail. Rufous wings with two distinct wing bars. Creamy white throat, breast, and undersides with dark brown/ blackish irregular streaks, larger on sides and flanks. Unmarked white undertail coverts. Pale pinkish legs. Yellow eye. Dark slightly curved bill with pale base to lower mandible. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | thick 'chuck' call |
| Behavior: | Very skulky |
| Habitat: | thick rabbitbrush and atriplex adjacent to pond. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
|
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
yes |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Rick Fridell |
| Observer's address: | Hurricane, UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: |
Steve and Cindy Sommerfeld Subsequently observed by many individuals through at least 1/25/15 |
| Date prepared: | 01-25-2015 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: |