Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2020-29
| Common name: |
Golden-winged Warbler |
| Scientific name: | Vermivora chrysoptera |
| Date: | 08-10-2020 |
| Time: | 06:45pm |
| Length of time observed: | 5 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Pine Lake campground |
| County: | Garfield |
| Latilong: | 37.7437913,-111.9524237 |
| Elevation: | 8,500ft |
| Distance to bird: | 10m |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon 10x42 Binoculars |
| Weather: | Sunny,clear, 70F |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | 4.75in |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | small passerine |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Mostly gray with some yellow on the wings and crown, very bold facial pattern |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | typical warbler |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
I was walking back to camp from the lake when I heard the buzzy chip of a Lazuli
Bunting, so I started scanning the bushes nearby for the Laz, then a small bird
popped up in some flowering Shrubby Cinquefoil nearby in the same line of sight.
Much to my surprise it was a very boldly pattern warbler. Bold white
supercillium and malar, dark blackish-gray mask and throat, golden yellow crown,
grayish back,dark tail with bold outer tail feathers, pale belly and bright
golden patch on the wings. Only Warbler that it could be is a Golden-winged
Warbler.Black on throat and mask was not dark enough for an adult male, so a
female or immature? (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None heard |
| Behavior: | Foraging in low flowering shrubs(Shrubyy Cinquefoil) in an open meadow near the creek, then spooked and flew to dense willows along the creek |
| Habitat: | Open meadow near a creek, mixed conifer forest nearby |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Bold and distinctive warbler, nothing similar. Apparently this species frequently hybridizes with Blue-winged Warbler where their ranges overlap, but such hybrids should have much more yellow in the plumage than this bird |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
None-lifer |
| References consulted: | Audubon Birds app, iBird Pro app. Sibley guide to western birds |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Terry Reid found it and photographed it the next morning |
| Date prepared: | 8-13-2020 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S72303326 |