Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2020-06a
| Common name: |
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch |
| Scientific name: | Leucosticte australis |
| Date: | 2/11/2020 |
| Time: | 15:00 |
| Length of time observed: | 35 min. |
| Number: | 1 (possibly more) |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | La Sal Loop Rd. near Pinhook Overlook |
| County: | Grand |
| Latilong: | 38.562765, -109.292803 |
| Elevation: | 7667 ft. |
| Distance to bird: | ~70 ft. |
| Optical equipment: | Vortex Diamondback 8x42 binoculars, scope |
| Weather: | Sunny, clear |
| Light Conditions: | Sunny afternoon lighting |
| Description: Size of bird: | ~6 inches |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Finch |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Brown with rosy on belly/wings |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Conical |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Brown head, breast, and back, pink on wings and belly, finch-like proportions,
conical bill; complete absence of gray on head distinguished it amid large flock
of mostly Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | N/A |
| Behavior: | Mostly feeding in grasses on slope, occasionally swirling up and moving to new patch of ground with rosy-finch flock, lit in dead juniper tree for over a minute, however, allowing for careful study at fairly close range and photos. |
| Habitat: | Mountain slope covered with forbs and grasses with snow at edges |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Distinguished from Gray-crowned and Black Rosy-Finches by brown head without gray cheek or hind-crown. Dark forehead; head otherwise completely brown. Distinguished from other finches by habits and rosy-pink on belly and wings. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes. Previous experience with all three rosy-finch species. |
| References consulted: | Sibley Guide to Birds |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Thomas Meinzen |
| Observer's address: | HC 64 Box 2604, Castle Valley, UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Steve Heinrich |
| Date prepared: | 2/11/2020 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | Additional documentation for record originally submitted by Steve Heinrich. Likely this Brown-capped Rosy-Finch is from the same flock that he previously reported with up to three Brown-caps. |