Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2020-78
| Common name: |
Winter Wren |
| Scientific name: | Troglodytes hiemalis |
| Date: | 12/7/2020 |
| Time: | 10:20am |
| Length of time observed: | 10 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: |
? |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | East Canyon-Mormon Flats |
| County: | Morgan |
| Latilong: | 40.815717, -111.585562 |
| Elevation: | 6,000 ftish |
| Distance to bird: | 2m |
| Optical equipment: | Canon SX60 Power Shot hs |
| Weather: | Sunny, clear cold, 25F |
| Light Conditions: | OK, in morning shade of canyon |
| Description: Size of bird: | Tiny |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | small wren |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | brown |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | thin of insectivore |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
In the parkinglot I heard a Chickadee give a contact call so I started imitating
a Pygmy Owl to get a mob going to look for tag alongs, immediately I heard a
distinctive chump call coming from across the creek, it was bit distorted by the
creek noise so I crossed the creek bridge to get closer, and was thinking a Song
Sparrow, but something seemed off. As I got closer I realized it was the chump
call of a Winter Wren coming from a dense thicket of willows. I started pishing
to bring it in closer and the Wren started calling franticly, and sure enough I
saw a small short tail wren in the bushes calling. Much to my surprise another
Wren joined it so there were 2 wrens in the same bush calling and hopping about.
The 2nd was clearly a Pacific and the difference between their voice was
immediately striking and apparent. The Pacific had a higher, scratchier check
call, the Winter a song sparrow like chump. The Pacific was actually very bold
and tame, getting just inches from me, but not very agitated and more reserved
in its calling, the Winter was much more active and calling incessantly, and
hopping around a lot, never staying still and always staying in the thicket. I
had left my binos in the car, but never the less was close enough to see them
well naked eye. The Pacific was a uniform rusty brown, the winter very similar
but did have some pale streaking on the throat. But ID based mainly on calls (see eBird checklist with hoto and videos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Gave a distinctive chump during entire observation |
| Behavior: | Skulking about in a dense thicket, calling |
| Habitat: | Dense riparian thicket of willows and hawthorn along East Canyon creek |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Pacific Wren-direct comparison, voice different, higher and scratchier. Also
usually a more rusty throat. House Wren-migrant that has left for the season, larger and longer tailed, different more harsh calls. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, my 3rd, many many Pacifics |
| References consulted: | iBird Pro app |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olen |
| Observer's address: | 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | None |
| Date prepared: | 12-7-2020 |
| Additional material: | Photo and videos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist |