Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2017-72b
| Common name: |
McCown's Longspur |
| Scientific name: | Rhynchophanes mccownii |
| Date: | 12-23-2017 |
| Time: | 3:00pmish |
| Length of time observed: | 1/2 hour |
| Number: | 2 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Harold Crane WFMA |
| County: | Weber |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4212 |
| Distance to bird: | Less than 10m at closest |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon 10x50 Binoculars,Vortex 20-60X spotting scope |
| Weather: | Party Sunny, windy |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | 6.5in |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Small passerine |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | dull gray brownish overall |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Stout |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Direct comparison with Lapland Longspurs, noted overall duller gray brown color
without high contrast black streaking and white belly. Seemed larger,chubbier
with a very large head and huge stout pink bill, strong supercilium gives them a
look almost like a female House Sparrow. Noted dull black patch on breast. Also
saw the rufous greater coverts, and mostly white tail with inverted black T in
flight. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Heard various rattle calls of Longspurs, not sure if some were MCLO or LALO? |
| Behavior: | Feeding in picklweed with HOLA and LALO |
| Habitat: | Pickleweed playa |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Lapland Longspur-Higher contrast orange,black and
white,smaller orangish bill, black cheeks, much less white in tail Chestnut-collared Longspur-Duller uniform brownish, darker grayish bill,less white in tail Smith's Longspur-Should have darker blackish cheeks and less white in tail, more buffy color overall with smaller orangish bill |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, saw a MCLO 2 years ago at Golden Spike |
| References consulted: | Macaulay Library |
| 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: | Mike Hearell was with me, others saw them the next day |
| Date prepared: | 12-25-2017 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41280224 |