Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2023-65a
| Common name: |
Purple Finch |
| Scientific name: | Haemorphous purpureus |
| Date: | September 15, 2023 |
| Time: | 10:27 |
| Length of time observed: | twenty-five minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | unkown |
| Sex: | female |
| Location: | Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge |
| County: | Juab |
| Latilong: | 39.839002 -113.398061 |
| Elevation: | 4,300 feet |
| Distance to bird: | twenty feet |
| Optical equipment: | Vortex Viper 10 x 42 Leica Ultravid 10 x 42 |
| Weather: | sunny, slight breeze |
| Light Conditions: | clear- the bird was backlit at times |
| Description: Size of bird: | roughly six inches |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | finch shape |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | drab brown |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | conical |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Female finch similar to House Finch at first glance, however had a
shorter tail then house finch. Bold facial pattern with brown streaking on both flanks and chest. Conical bill. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Called both while perched and in flight. (Audio1, Audio2) |
| Behavior: | Perched in trees, flew from tree to tree. |
| Habitat: | Scattered trees within housing unit. Beyond the housing unit, habitat consisted of spring-fed wetlands and salt desert shrublands. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
House Finch is the most likely species in this area and is similar to both Purple and Cassin's Finch. This bird however had much stronger facial pattern than the House Finch. In the process of determining Purple vs. Cassin's I was able to record calls. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have seen and heard House Finch many times. Knew the calls were distinct from House Finch. Called Renee to see the bird and she was able to determine the bird was either a Cassin's or a Purple Finch based on facial markings. The bird was backlit when she saw it, but I was able to record calls a number of times before the bird flew from the area. |
| References consulted: | Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Erin Hettinger |
| Observer's address: | 301 E Garvin Heights Rd, Winona MN 55987 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Renee Tressler |
| Date prepared: | October 15, 2023 |
| Additional material: | Tape Audio1, Audio2 [see eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S149946685] |
| Additional comments: |