Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2017-60
| Common name: |
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch |
| Scientific name: | Leucosticte australis |
| Date: | 15 Nov 2017 |
| Time: | 11:14 AM |
| Length of time observed: | 5 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Hatch Year |
| Sex: | Male |
| Location: | Large sandstone island near "Big Drop" motorcycle trail |
| County: | Grand |
| Latilong: | 38.7434,-109.89668 |
| Elevation: | 4800 feet |
| Distance to bird: | 30 to 40 feet |
| Optical equipment: | Canon SX60 superzoom camera |
| Weather: | calm 55 degrees |
| Light Conditions: | very light overcast |
| Description: Size of bird: | Similar to House Finch |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Finch |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Overall pale brown, pink flanks, dull black/gray crown and nape |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Compact and conical, seed-eater |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
This bird was clearly a Rosy-Finch based on body size and shape, bill size and
shape, and pale brown body with pink flanks. The legs and feet are black, the
bill is yellow with a dark tip. The forehead is rather pale black, fading to
gray on the nape. There is a slightly lighter area above the eye, however is it
small and indistinct. From above the tail, primaries, and greater coverts appear
black with pale edges. The following information is taken from comments given my Michael Hilchey on the photos. (Michael has banded Rosy-Finches on Sandia Crest in New Mexico): The crown is composed of a nearly black forehead and then dark feathers with grayish tips creating an overall mottled appearance. We can age the bird by the narrow and completely white edges to the greater coverts, adults should have broad edges that are usually quite pink. A young bird with that much pink in the belly is likely to be a male. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Did not vocalize |
| Behavior: | Foraging for seeds from ground. |
| Habitat: | Bird seen in small dirt area with a couple of plants sited in large sandstone island. General terrain in this area: open and relatively sparsely vegetated desert. some areas of bare sandstone. Brush and cottonwood trees in nearby washes. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
The only other finches with pink flanks would be Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch and Black Rosy-Finch. Black Rosy-Finch can be eliminated by body color, as the subject bird is pale brown while Black Rosy-Finch would be black or gray. Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch can be eliminated by the following: subject bird has paler brown body color, weak contrast between the crown and face, and low contrast in the black/gray in the crown with no distinct gray patch over the eye. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have seen Rosy-finches, including Brown-capped, in Colorado (Snowmass) and Utah (Alta). |
| References consulted: | National Geographic Birds of North America, 7th Edition. Sibley Guide to the Birds, Second Edition. Cornell University Birds Of North America Online. Article "In The Scope: Brown-capped Rosy-Finch. (https://cobirds.org/CFO/ColoradoBirds/InTheScope/29.pdf) |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Glenn Kincaid |
| Observer's address: | HC64 Box 2404 Castle Valley Utah 84532 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 17 Nov 2017 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |