Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Scaled Quail
Scientific name:	Callipepla squamata
Date:	May 2, 2022
Time:	6:30am
Length of time observed:	intermittently for about 10 mins
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Male
Location:	Riparian on right bank, 30 yards downstream from Fossil Camp on San Juan River, 20 miles below Sand Island launch
County:	San Juan
Latilong:	37.180397, -109.828099
Elevation:	4,120 ft
Distance to bird:	30 yards
Optical equipment:	Vocal ID
Weather:	Clear, no wind, approx 55 deg F.
Light Conditions:	Early morning, shortly after sunrise
Description: Size of bird:	Heard only
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Heard only
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Heard only
(Description:) Bill Type:	Heard only
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Male emitting harsh single note song in series of 1 to 4 songs, each song 5 to 10 seconds apart, the series occurring intermittently for about 10 minutes until it moved on. Woke us both up, occurring shortly after dawn 30 yards downstream from our camp on river right.
Song or call & method of delivery:	Male making harsh single note song after dawn.
Behavior:	Male singing
Habitat:	Typical riparian along the San Juan River comprised of Tamarisk, willows, various grasses and some shrubs.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	A SCQU song is quite unique. GAQU would be a plausible quail species that could be present at this location, but GAQU and SCQU sound nothing alike. To my ears, the RNEP song has somewhat of a similar harsh, screechy sneeze-sound as SCQU but RNEP are louder and usually issue 2 notes and not often in a series. After consulting eBird, I see there have been a handful of RNEP entries along the San Juan, but I am familiar enough with the rooster RNEP to confidently rule it out. Another critter that emits a harsh screechy sound is a barking fox, with which I am also quite familiar. A fox bark has a low growl leading up to and following the screech. I mention RNEP and fox only in the interest of being thorough for this entry, neither resemble a SCQU very well.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	We have identified SCQU visually and vocally many times in southwestern Colorado and New Mexico, most recently as late April of this year.
References consulted:
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Mike Thompson
Observer's address:	18032 Road G, Cortez, CO 81321
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Karmen King
Date prepared:	5/9/22
Additional material:
Additional comments:	This was observed during a river trip, we did not have cameras or audio recording devices with us on this trip.