Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2015-54
| Common name: |
Brown Thrasher |
| Scientific name: | Toxostoma rufum |
| Date: | 12-29-2015 |
| Time: | 10:00amish |
| Length of time observed: | 10 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Big Bend, Jordan River-West Jordan |
| County: | Salt Lake |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4300ft |
| Distance to bird: | 3m |
| Optical equipment: | Alpen 8X25 Binoculars, Canon SX 50 hs Digital Camera |
| Weather: | Overcast, lighly snowing-25F |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | Large passerine |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Long tailed thrush like bird |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Rusty brown upper parts, black streaks on breast |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Longish, slighly decurved |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
As I was doing a monthly non-breeding survey of one of Tracy Aviaries Citizen
Science Project study sites along the Jordan River, I flush up a strange bird
from the river bank. Naked eye I wasn't sure what it was, seemed long tails so I
was thinking a Towhee, first look in the binos I saw the rufous tail and thought
Hermit Thrush, but then I got a better look and saw the entire upper parts were
rusty brown. Basically a thrush sized bird thats all rusty brown above, but very
long tailed. Also had 2 white wing bars and a black streaks on breast. Yellow
eye and slightly decurved bill also noted. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None heard |
| Behavior: | Initially seen close to the river bank, flushed and perched in low shrubs above river, started feeding on Russian Olives, then perched out in the open allowing photos and a long good look. |
| Habitat: | Lowland riparian corridor, grown with dense Russian Olives, a few Siberian Elms present nearby as well. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Hermit Thrush is smaller and shorter tailed, rust restricted mainly to tail,
also lacks yellow eye and decurved bill Veery-Very rare,especially in winter, but smaller,shorter tailed and lacks the wing bars, yellow eye and decurved bill Sage Thrasher should be gone in winter, and also lack the rusty coloration |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
None-Lifer |
| References consulted: | iBird Pro app |
| Description from: | From: From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 688 East 700 South #105, SLC, UT 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Matt Pendleton and several others since |
| Date prepared: | 12-30-2015 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: | eBird checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S26512485 |