Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2015-19
| Common name: |
Black-billed Cuckoo |
| Scientific name: | coccyzus erythropthalmus |
| Date: | May 9, 2015 |
| Time: | 11:00 |
| Length of time observed: | at least 15 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | unknown |
| Location: | on the border of the Scott M. Matheson Wetland Preserve |
| County: | Grand |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4000' |
| Distance to bird: | 10 to 20 feet |
| Optical equipment: | binoculars |
| Weather: | sunny |
| Light Conditions: | shady |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | it had a very long tail |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | gray on top, white on bottom |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | slender and dark |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
While counting birds for the International Migratory Bird Day my group of six people observed a black-billed cuckoo. This bird is not on the preserve's checklist. Three people in my group are knowledgeable birders and we all confirmed this sighting. Unfortunately we were unable to get any good photos. We could, however, during our observation identify the pure black bill, the primaries, which had no rufous and the small indistinct white spots in the tail. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | We heard no song. |
| Behavior: | It was quietly popping in and out of view. Our presence didn't seen to cause any disruption giving us a good chance to observe him. |
| Habitat: | Russian olives and other thick brush |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
yellow-billed cuckoo - this bird had a pure black bill, not a yellow one. It had no rufous in the primaries and the white spot in the tail were small unlike the large distinctive white spots of the yellow-billed. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
None of us had ever seen this species before. |
| References consulted: |
Sibley's Field Guide Ken Kaufmann's Field Guide |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | Marcia A. Hafner |
| Observer's address: | P. O. Box 13, Moab, UT 84532 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: |
Kay MaClean Mary Collar Hannah Hinchman |
| Date prepared: | June 1, 2015 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional_Comments: |