Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Eastern Bluebird
Scientific name:	Sialia Sialis
Date:	December 11, 2018
Time:	3:10 p.m.
Length of time observed:	30-40 minutes
Number:	One
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Male
Location:	North of 7800 South along the Jordan River Parkway.
County:	Salt Lake
Latilong:	40.613191,-111.921109
Elevation:	Approximately 4,300 feet
Distance to bird:	15 feet at the closest
Optical equipment:	Binoculars
Weather:	Gray skies and murky air quality due to the current inversion. Temperature around 30 degrees with no precipitation.
Light Conditions:	Challenging, but the bird came close enough to provide good views.
Description: Size of bird:	Smaller than the nearby American Robins
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Small stocky thrush
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Blue, rust and white
(Description:) Bill Type:	Short and straight
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	All blue above. Rust on the throat, sides of neck, breast and flanks. White belly and undertail coverts. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	None heard
Behavior:	First seen perched on a wire near the Trax line. The bird relocated each time a train rolled through, but stayed within a 50 foot radius. Flew back and forth from the wires to a stand of trees between the tracks and the river. Perched at mid to upper level and occasionally plucked berries. Harassed at times by the nearby robins.
Habitat:	Riparian corridor along the Jordan River.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Mountain Bluebird - Adult males are a softer overall blue and lack rufous coloring. Western Bluebird - Adult males have a blue throat and the rust color of the breast extends onto the upper back. Lazuli Bunting - Included as an elimination species because superficially it has a similar color pattern; however, it is noticeably smaller and has white wingbars among other differences.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Not a great deal of field experience with Eastern Bluebirds although I have seen some in the eastern United States and the pair reported by Bryant Olsen on 1-1-17 along the Jordan River. Have seen many Mountain Bluebirds and Lazuli Buntings, but again limited field experience with Western Bluebirds.
References consulted:	Sibley Birds, Second Edition
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Pomera M. Fronce
Observer's address:	1338 Old Maple Court
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	December 11, 2018
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	Thanks to Matt Pendleton for the use of his fine photo since mine are just slightly better than deplorable.