Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2017-28
| Common name: |
White-eyed Vireo |
| Scientific name: | Vireo griseus |
| Date: | May 12, 2017 |
| Time: | 0630 |
| Length of time observed: | 2.5 Hours |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Male |
| Location: | Diamond Fork Canyon -- Diamond Fork CG, Utah County, Utah, US |
| County: | Utah |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 30 feet |
| Optical equipment: | 10x50 Vortex Binoculars |
| Weather: | Sunny, calm, cool, clear morning. |
| Light Conditions: | Early morning sun. |
| Description: Size of bird: | Small - 5" |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Passerine |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Yellow-green |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Hooked Tip |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Small yellow-green super-skulker singing distinctive "Quick, pick up the beer
check!" song in thicket behind site #39, Campground Loop B. Whitish throat,
yellow wash across breast and belly. Gray head and nape, dark bill with hooked
tip. Bright yellow spectacles. White eye. Greenish-gray wing with two white bars
separated by black bar. Singing constantly from 6:30AM until we left at 9:00AM. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: |
Constant singing from inside thicket. Seldom coming to the edge where it could
be seen. (listen to audio) |
| Behavior: | Mostly staying in dense vegitation |
| Habitat: | Hillside thicket of Choke Cherry, Service Berry and other shrubs. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
I recognized the distinctive call when I heard it as something different. I waited up to ten minutes before getting the first glimpse of the bird as it sang constantly from within the dense vegetation. During the first few minutes of listening to the call, I began to suspect it was a White-eyed Vireo. I am familiar with the call from tapes and previous experiences. No recording was used to bring the bird into view. I did not want to scare the bird away. When the bird finally came into view, my suspicions were confirmed. No other vireo has a gleaming white eye. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I have seen several white-eyed Vireos in NE, IL and FL. |
| References consulted: | NGS Birds of NA |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | John Sullivan |
| Observer's address: | 1159 Janus St. Springfield, Oregon 97477 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Laura Johnson |
| Date prepared: | May 15, 2017 |
| Additional material: | Photos, Audio |
| Additional comments: |