Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Common Redpoll
Scientific name:	Leucosticte australis
Date:	12/03/2017
Time:	8am
Length of time observed:	several hours
Number:	1
Age:	adult
Sex:	?
Location:	Croydon
County:	Morgan
Latilong:
Elevation:	5500 feet
Distance to bird:	15 to 50 feet
Optical equipment:	binoculars, camera
Weather:	started out cloudy but has cleared up with sun shine on occasion.
Light Conditions:	good
Description: Size of bird:	same as a Pine Siskin
(Description:) Basic Shape:	small finch (goldfinch)
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	gray, brown, white, yellow bill, and red spot on forehead
(Description:) Bill Type:	like a goldfinch or siskin
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Small finch a lot like a Pine Siskin but much lighter. Bird had streaked sides and back, small yellow bill, black between eye and bill, black under bill on throat, white breast, bark wings, and a bright red spot on forehead. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	A continuous chipping noise when flying kind of like that of a goldfinch but different. Could hear the different sound when flying with a flock of American Goldfinches.
Behavior:	Same as the American Goldfinches, coming into feeders eating many different kinds of seeds.
Habitat:	Backyard feeders and in the trees and bushes in our backyard.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Pine Siskins are darker with yellow in wings, dark bill and no red on forehead. American Goldfinches are drab gray and yellow this time of year, no streak and no red. All other finches are larger than this bird.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I've had them several times over the last several years at my feeders including lots the year there was a
References consulted:	Sibley's, pictures, and my memory
Description from:	From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Weston, Louize, Kalyssa and Conrad Smith as well as many others
Observer's address:	1375N 6800E; Croydon, Utah 84018
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Paul Higgins who to my knowledge originally spotted it at our feeders on Dec 2, 2017.
Date prepared:	12/03/2017
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	My wife told me that she thought she saw one on the 1st of December but was unable to document it and subsequently forgot since I was out of town.