Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Varied Bunting
Scientific name:	Passerina versicolor
Date:	8/27/16
Time:	7:30 pm
Length of time observed:	4-5 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Unknown
Sex:	Female type
Location:	West Weber 700 N Trap
County:	Weber
Latilong:
Elevation:	4120'
Distance to bird:	11'
Optical equipment:	Pentax Binoculars, Canon sx50 hs camera
Weather:	Clear/sunny
Light Conditions:	Well lit.
Description: Size of bird:	5-6"
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Finch/bunting
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Brown
(Description:) Bill Type:	Finch/bunting
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Overall brownish bird with slightly darker brown upper parts. Dark eye absent of any eye-ring. Bill was fleshy-gray with a curved culmen. Wings were absent of any pattern or wing-bars with a short primary projection. Breast absent of any streaking. Gray legs. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	N/A
Behavior:	Sitting in top 1/3 of a Russian Olive, flew off out of sight and then returned a few seconds later before flying off for good.
Habitat:	Row of Russian Olives bordering a field of Sagebrush and weeds.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Painted Bunting- female-type would have a greenish overall tint, culmen would not be as curved, and primary projection would be longer. Indigo Bunting- female type would have light wing-bars, pale throat, streaking on breast and on flanks, straighter culmen, longer primary projection. Lazuli Bunting- female type would have distinct wing-bars, much longer primary projection, straighter culmen.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Of the Buntings found in the ABA area, only the Painted Bunting is a species I haven't seen with my own eyes. I've seen multiple VABU while birding on multiple occasions in SE AZ. Indigo Buntings are quite common in my home State of IL.
References consulted:	Nat Geo, Sibley's, and Petersen's Field Guides. Multiple on line references, and asked for opinions of multiple birders with more experience than me.
Description from:	From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Mike Hearell
Observer's address:	255 W 2700 N, Pleasant View, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Taylor Abbott
Date prepared:	9/2/16
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	I took my time with this report. Considering this would be a first record for UT if vetted, I made many attempts to get other's opinions before submitting. I didn't receive any feedback that stated they thought this wasn't a VABU.