Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2023-67b
| Common name: |
Tri-colored Heron |
| Scientific name: | Egretta tricolor |
| Date: | Sep 8, 2023 |
| Time: | 7:40 |
| Length of time observed: | Observed: 10-15 |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Egg Island- Farmington Bay WMA |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 30-40 |
| Distance to bird: | 40-5 |
| Optical equipment: | binoculars (wyatt wardle, me) & Nikon D3300 (Nerys Turnbaugh) |
| Weather: | clear |
| Light Conditions: | bright and sunny morning |
| Description: Size of bird: | bigger than snowy egrets |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | heron |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | grey green white yellow and brown |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | long straight bill with yellow and black coloration |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
me and nerys pulled up noticing a tree with at least 3 birds on top we
easily spotted some snowy egrets on top and from a distance a heron
chilling with them, upon further inspection we noticed it wasn t a great
blue heron like the few we had seen before that morning and we were
puzzled going through every possible bird with photos and everything and
at this time we had contacted our teacher blundell with sending pictures
and he said he wasn t sure and contacted some other bird specialist who
said that it could very well be a tri colored heron which me and nerys
had never heard of. but with comparing pictures in the moment and after
we came to the obvious conclusion that it was a tricolored heron.with
very indistinguishable features such as the sleek head white throat
being smaller than a great blue (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | NA |
| Behavior: | Sitting on the top of a tree on top of egg island. Parked the car right beside the trees. |
| Habitat: |
Landed in the trees, on the top, North side of Egg Island. Trees at the top of
egg island, as soon as you pull up the ramp drive. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Great Blue Heron- This bird was significantly smaller, with a distinct white
stripe running up the front side of the neck. Sleek looking head. night crowned heron- wasn t as round as one could be aswell as some distinct colorations in all ages that didn t match up on patterns |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
seen herons many times before including great blue heron, night crowned heron, green heron |
| References consulted: | our teacher blundell as well as the ornithology class of farmington high school |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | wyatt wardle and nerys turnbaugh |
| Observer's address: | 545 wellington dr. kaysville |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | ellie blundell |
| Date prepared: | 12/12/23 |
| Additional material: | Photos nerys has the original photos |
| Additional comments: | [nnina] |