Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2021-68
| Common name: |
Black-throated Blue Warbler |
| Scientific name: | Setophaga caerulescens |
| Date: | 11/9/2021 |
| Time: | 9:00am |
| Length of time observed: | 5 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Hatch Year |
| Sex: | Male |
| Location: | Logan |
| County: | Cache |
| Latilong: | 41.752335, -111.790156 |
| Elevation: | 4,900ft |
| Distance to bird: | 8m |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon10x42 Binoculars |
| Weather: | Overcast, cold(38F),calm |
| Light Conditions: | |
| Description: Size of bird: | small passerine |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | typical warbler |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | blue back, white belly |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | insectivore |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Initially reported by Brady Miller on 11/7/21, bird re-found and photographed by
Matt Brady, Mike Taylor and Cullen Clark 11/8/21 so I gave chase. Short tailed
but chunky warbler, entirely blue on the crown, back and upperside of wings and
tail with a black cheek and throat and contrasting white belly with black
streaking on flanks, white spot on base of outer primaries, and white corners on
outer tail feathers seen in flight. Broad, flat, black bill. Some whitish
speckling in the throat and greenish coloring on the back indicates this is
likely a hatch year male. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Heard a distinctive flat chip, much like a Juncos |
| Behavior: | Feeding on grapes in a trellis, the hiding into evergreen shrubs(Viburnums) |
| Habitat: | Residential neighborhood with cultivated plants, but along a tiny canal next to a park, open foothills just 100m to the east. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Males are pretty distinctive with nothing quite similar. Cerulean Warbler only other blue warbler in North America but they have a white throat, 2 white wingbars and more of a streaked black and blue. Lazuli Bunting has an orange breast and 2 wingbars. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
My 1st male, I saw a female last year |
| References consulted: | eBird |
| 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: | Initially found by Brady Miller, many since |
| Date prepared: | 11/13/21 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S97351808 |