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