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 |