Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Northern Parula
Scientific name:	Setophaga americana
Date:	August 16, 2020
Time:	8:45 am and again at 9:15
Length of time observed:	30 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Juvenile/First-year
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Jordan River Parkway Trail - Regional Athletic Center (RAC)
County:	Salt Lake
Latilong:	40.8106
Elevation:	-111.9406
Distance to bird:	15 feet at closest
Optical equipment:	10x42 Nikon Monarchs; Canon EOS 7D - 100-400mm Lens
Weather:	Clear skies, relatively cool morning.
Light Conditions:	First observed the bird with the sun to our backs in great lighting. Also observed under the shade of foliage in shadows.
Description: Size of bird:	Warbler Size 5-6" in length
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Thin bird, classic warbler shape.
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Yellow breast and throat, green back, white underside, white wing-bars on gray wings.
(Description:) Bill Type:	Relatively large bill for a warbler. Pale orange lower mandible typical of Parulas.
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	-Bright yellow breast with yellow throat. -Some evidence of a breastband filling in between throat and breast. -Grayish wings with white wing-bars. -Gray head with subtle white eye arcs. -Bright green back. -Pale orange lower mandible. -Relatively large bill for a warbler. -White on underside of the tail tip with black edges. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Silent
Behavior:	First noted movement in Elms/Russian Olives on the opposing river bank, about mid-canopy, but remained hidden in dense foliage. I phished several times and within 10 seconds the bird flew onto an exposed branch giving us fantastic looks before continuing to actively feed in the area. After a minute or so, it receded back into dense brush and we couldn't find it again from the paved trail. Our party took a small "fox" trail along the west side of the river and eventually found the bird again feeding in an elm towards the top of the tree. It then found a perch within the Elm and stayed put for about 15 minutes. During this time We watched the bird close its eyes and rest. After a good stretch of the wings, it continued feeding, working its way south along the river.
Habitat:	Elm, Cottonwoods, and Russian Olive Trees along the Jordan River Parkway Trail.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	- 1st year Magnolia Warbler: Bird was not actively flitting or wagging its tail as seen in Magnolias. Lacked gray necklace, complete white eye-ring, and had bright green back. Broader wing-bars and lack of an all-black tail tip also excluded MAWA. - Tropical Parula: Presence of white eye-arcs discount TRPA. - Orange lower mandible eliminated most other similar species, as did the accumulation of all other field marks noted in description.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	A familiar species from my time in various locations on the East Coast, Minnesota, and Texas.
References consulted:	Sibley Guide to Birds
Description from:	From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Kendall JohnWatkins
Observer's address:	2622 W Dry Creek Drive
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Bryant Olsen, Charles Hurd, Max Malmquist, Mike Malmquist.
Date prepared:	8/16/2020
Additional material:	Photos
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