Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Hooded Warbler
Scientific name:	Setophaga citrina
Date:	10-23-20
Time:	11:50
Length of time observed:	One hour and ten minutes
Number:	One
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Male
Location:	Allen Park
County:	Salt Lake
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	6 - 35 feet
Optical equipment:	Binoculars
Weather:	Overcast and cool with no wind
Light Conditions:	Good
Description: Size of bird:	Warbler
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Warbler
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Olive-green, yellow and black
(Description:) Bill Type:	Straight and sharp
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	We were birding at the east end of Allen Park when Joanna called out that she had seen an unfamiliar warbler. She went on to describe perfectly a Hooded Warbler. It didn t take us long to relocate the bird which we were able to view numerous times over the next seventy minutes. Some looks were fleeting while others were prolonged, but all were diagnostic for this unmistakable warbler. It had an olive-green back and a yellow face framed in a black hood. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Chip notes heard many times.
Behavior:	Actively moving about within a 50 foot area. Mostly skulky and low to the ground. Popped up quickly on a few occasions, but never higher than about 15 feet. Note that the warbler seemed to like a certain house on Downington Avenue. Hey Mark ;-)
Habitat:	This area has been privately owned since 1931. Salt Lake City recently purchased the property and converted it to a park which opened to the public on 10-4-20. Habitat is a mature riparian woodland with tangled undergrowth.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Head and face patterns are the only field marks being applied to the elimination species: Common Yellowthroat has a black mask, a light and then an olive-green stripe running parallel to the upper side of the mask and a yellow throat. Very familiar with this species. Kentucky Warbler has an olive-green head, yellow spectacles, a dark mask which curves down onto the breast and a yellow throat. Have never seen this species. Wilson s Warbler has a small black cap and a yellow face and throat. Very familiar with this species
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Have seen this species in Belize, Cuba and Puerto Rico, but never in the United States.
References consulted:	The Sibley Guide to Birds
Description from:	From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Pomera M. Fronce
Observer's address:	Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Joanna Kane and at least 30 others to date. This doesn't take into account those groups with more than one observer and those who don't use eBird.
Date prepared:	10-23-20
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	Thanks to Eli Anderson, Mike Malmquist and Kendall Watkins for the use of their photos. This was the thrill of a lifetime for Joanna and me!