Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2019-30
| Common name: |
Veery |
| Scientific name: | Catharus fuscescens |
| Date: | 9/11/19 (still continuing as of 9/15) |
| Time: | 7:30pm |
| Length of time observed: | 15 min |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | My backyard in Holladay |
| County: | Salt Lake |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4812' |
| Distance to bird: | 20 feet |
| Optical equipment: | Pentax ED 8x 43 binos, Canon 60D dslr with 100-400 IS lens |
| Weather: | Sunny and warm |
| Light Conditions: | Low bright sun |
| Description: Size of bird: | Smaller than a robin |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Plump songbird with long legs |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Reddish brown above, whitish below |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Medium blunt tipped bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Catharus thrush with reddish brown upperparts and gray flanks fading into a
whitish belly. Plain pale brownish face with rear pale partial eye ring. Weak
brown spotting on a buffy chest continuing into weak brown malar stripe. This looked to be a darker western Veery rather than a more reddish eastern one. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None so far. |
| Behavior: | Extremely skulky often hiding in dense shade and rarely coming out into the open. Occasionally flicks its wings but not nearly as much as a Hermit Thrush |
| Habitat: | Medium dense shrubbery. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
All other Catharus thrushes have more extensive
black spotting on their chest. Other Catharus thrushes have more brownish backs
lacking reddish tones. Hermit and Swainson's Thrushes both have complete eye rings and a more contrasting facial pattern with Swainson's showing a buffy face and spectacles. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
2nd time seeing a western Veery. I have seen hundreds of eastern Veery while living in NY, both on breeding grounds and on migration. |
| References consulted: | Sibley 2nd edition, National Geographic 7th edition. |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Kenny Frisch |
| Observer's address: | 4609 S Wallace Ln Holladay, UT 84117 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Since the original sighting- Rachel Leblanc, Larene Wyss, Neldon Kunz |
| Date prepared: | 9/15/19 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | The bird reappeared 9/14 after not being seen on the 12th and 13th and was seen in the morning of the 15th. |