Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Eastern Bluebird
Scientific name:	Sialia sialis
Date:	8 Dec 2019
Time:	1030 hrs
Length of time observed:	approx. 5 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	unknown
Sex:	unknown
Location:	Stewart Lake WMA
County:	Uintah
Latilong:	40.352416, -109.353415
Elevation:	1,443 m
Distance to bird:	approx. 30 meters
Optical equipment:	Binoculars: Vortex Viper 10x42; Camera (photo and audio): Nikon CoolPix P5000
Weather:	Mostly cloudy, ~ 40 F, calm.
Light Conditions:	moderate light; observer's back to obscured sun during visual observation
Description: Size of bird:	close in size to Mountain Bluebird (small thrush)
(Description:) Basic Shape:	chunky with robust head
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Partial white eye ring on hind of eye; rufous breast and sides of neck, whitish belly, blue cap, blue face and blue wings.
(Description:) Bill Type:	slender, medium-short length
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Identified by diagnostic vocalization. Calling repeatedly; a characteristic two-parted plaintive phrase heard multiple times over a span of several minutes. (Audio recording obtained using camera). Observed perched in small Russian olive tree, ~ 30 m distant. Appears to be a brighter adult female, according to The Sibley Guide to Birds, Second Edition. Partial white eye ring on hind of eye; rufous breast and sides of neck, whitish belly, blue cap, blue face and blue wings. (Poor photo obtained).
Song or call & method of delivery:	Characteristic two-parted call, delivered intermittently & many times over the span of observation
Behavior:	Perching, calling; was initially in a taller cottonwood tree then moved to a Russian olive.
Habitat:	Lowland valley bottom dominated by mixed grasses and forbs, scattered small deciduous trees (cottonwood, Russian olive). Adjacent habitats include wetland and riparian (0.25 km from Green River). Photos of habitat obtained.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Similar species eliminated include mountain bluebird and western bluebird - both eliminated by vocalization. Calls of mountain bluebird are well known to observer, and hollow in nature. Calls of western bluebird are well known to observer, and terse in nature, less liquid than eastern bluebird. Mountain bluebirds were present simultaneously and eliminated by plumage pattern.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	This species nested in birdhouses I constructed on the land where I resided in Door County, Wisconsin, from 1982 to 1992. I maintained detailed records of its nesting along this bluebird trail, for over 10 years. During this period, and in periodic visits to Wisconsin in years since, I have encountered this species on hundreds of occasions.
References consulted:	Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology - All About Birds website; Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology - Macaulay Library; The Sibley Guide to Birds, Second Edition.
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Kevin Glueckert
Observer's address:
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	n/a
Date prepared:	14 Jan 2020
Additional material:	Photos MP3 Audio
Additional comments:	Photos of habitat and subject, plus MP3 audio will be e-mailed to Committee. Submitted eBird report on 8 December 2019 and that complete checklist is found here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S62152785