Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2023-44


Common name:

Scarlet Tanager

Scientific name: Piranga olivacea
Date: 08/03/2023
Time: 1800
Length of time observed: 30 minutes
Number: 1
Age: unknown
Sex: male
Location: North end of Millrace dog park off 5400 W and 1130 W Taylorsville UT
County: Salt Lake
Latilong: 40.649360 -111.938730
Elevation: 4295'
Distance to bird: 60-70'
Optical equipment: Nikon D500 camera
Weather: cloudy, storms coming in
Light Conditions: cloudy
Description:        Size of bird: medium
(Description:)       Basic Shape:  
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: red body with black wings and tail
(Description:)            Bill Type: thick rounded
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Red bird with black wings and tail. Smaller than a robin and fairly stocky looking. Tail short and head larger.
(see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery: No calls heard
Behavior: Appeared to be getting bugs in and around the tree.
Habitat: In a large elm tree
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Bird was seen with approximately 12 western tanagers.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
Never seen one before, thought it may have been a summer tanager which I have seen 3 times before.
References consulted:  ibird
Description from: From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Julie Dickerson
Observer's address: 1126 W Old Millrace Ln
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: David Dickerson
Date prepared: 08/23/2023
Additional material: Photos
Additional comments: I have several photos of this sighting.