Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2017-64


Common name:

Brown-capped Rosy-Finch

Scientific name: Leucosticte australis
Date: 11-19-2017
Time: 1:15pm
Length of time observed: 30 minutes
Number: 1
Age: Hatch Year
Sex: ?
Location: Alta
County: Salt Lake
Latilong:  
Elevation: 9,000ft
Distance to bird: Less than 1m at closest approach
Optical equipment: Vortex 8.5X42 Binoculars
Weather: Sunny,clear,40F
Light Conditions: Very bright
Description:        Size of bird: 6.25in
(Description:)       Basic Shape: Typical finch
(Description:)  Overall Pattern:  uniform frosted brown
(Description:)            Bill Type: Stout finch bill
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Uniform brownish with pale frosted feather edging, no pink at all indicating a hatch year bird, and a very dull sooty blackish brown cap with only a very slight gray tint along a narrow band behind the eye, but this gray was so dull and indistinct it was often not visible.
(see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery: Typical Rosy-Finch calls
Behavior: Feeding under bird feeders,very tame
Habitat: Sunflower seed bird feeders at 9,000ft, in a mixed aspen/spruce-fir forest.
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Similar to Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, but dull sooty brownish crown and frosted brownish feather edging on body.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
Yes,I've seen them here before in 2015, and several times in Colorado
References consulted: Macaulay Library photos online
Description from: From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Bryant Olsen
Observer's address: 84102,SLC,UT
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: Bill Hunt was with me, a few others reported it the same day and the next
Date prepared: 11-21-17
Additional material: Photos
Additional comments:  eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40605369