Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2015-49


Common name:

Northern Parula

Scientific name: Setophaga american
Date: 01-03-2015
Time: 2:00-3:00
Length of time observed: ~ 30 minutes
Number: 1
Age:  
Sex: immature / female type
Location: Virgin River upstream of La Verkin Creek confluence
County: Washington
Latilong: 19
Elevation: ~ 945 m
Distance to bird: 5 m
Optical equipment: 8 x 42 binoculars
Weather: clear
Light Conditions: calm
Description:        Size of bird:  
(Description:)       Basic Shape:  
(Description:)  Overall Pattern:  
(Description:)            Bill Type:  
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
The Sommerfelds located a Northern Parula along the Virgin River upstream of the old power plant (in the area where the Pacific Wren is wintering). I arrived 30 minutes or so later and the warbler was still present foraging low in few baccharis shrubs along with a few Orange-crowned Warblers. We observed it for another 30 minutes or so; it stayed low the entire time sometimes moving downstream or up the hill a bit but always returning to the same area. Occasionally gave a soft seet; call in flight.

Description:
Small, compact warbler with thin, sharp, bicolored bill (yellow with dark along culman) and short tail. Upperparts with greenish crown and yellowish green triangle on mantle, and greenish uppertail coverts. Dark eye with white eye arcs above and below. Wings dark with two white wingbars, white edging on primaries, greenish yellow edging on secondaries, and bluish coverts and scapulars. Throat and breast bright yellow, white belly, flanks, and undertail coverts. Feet and legs yellow.
(see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:  
Behavior: foraging; gleaning / hover gleaning
Habitat: riparian
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:  
Date prepared: 12-04-2015
Additional material: Photos
Additional_Comments: Description copied from field notes.