Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Canyon Towhee
Scientific name:	Melozone fusca
Date:	10/26/23
Time:	17:50
Length of time observed:	1 minute
Number:	1
Age:	?
Sex:	?
Location:	Snow Canyon State Park
County:	Washington
Latilong:	37.201, -113.644
Elevation:	3,300 ft
Distance to bird:	approximately 50 ft
Optical equipment:	binoculars and camera with zoom lens
Weather:	Clear with mild breeze, about 60F
Light Conditions:	Sun was just about to set behind the western rim of the SP, and we were facing into the sun, in the shade of the large juniper where the bird was observed.
Description: Size of bird:	It seemed the same size as the three Spotted Towhee moving around in the same group of junipers.
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Overall same shape and profile as the nearby SPTO
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Overall gray, which is what caught our attention. It stood out from the SPTO because it was so plain.
(Description:) Bill Type:	Sparrow-like, with no noticable curve to the upper mandible.
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	While in the field, recognizable field marks were: - Similar size and shape to nearby SPTO. Larger and with longer body and much longer tail than a House Finch that flew into the same tree as we watched the CANT. - Overall color a dull brown-gray, which made it stand out from the SPTO. - Reddish-brown cap stood out - No evidence of strongly contrasting markings--white or black--anywhere on its body. In photos: - I can find no sign of white on the face, though some evidence of black "freckles." - The outer retrices appear pale gray to almost white. - There appears to be a hint of green/yellow on the scapulars and greater coverts, but I cannot be sure this is not an effect of the lighting. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Did not vocalize
Behavior:	As we watched three SPTO bouncing around in a large juniper, a non-spotted one suddenly popped up from the ground and perched with its back to us for about a minute, before disappearing into an area of the tree out of our view. Nothing in the way it behaved would have led us to think it was anything but a SPTO. We never managed to catch sight of it again.
Habitat:	Arid, mixed juniper, scrub oak, and desert sage.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Abert's Towhee seems to be eliminated by the lack of black on the face and the rusty crown. - Rusty crown points to either CANT or GTTO - I do not have prior experience with either CANT or GTTO, but field guides lead me to expect more green in the tail and primaries in a GTTO. - Pyle indicates hybrids reported (CANT with GTTO, SPTO, ABTO. I guess a hybrid can't be ruled out, but I would not be able to make that call.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	None
References consulted:	Sibley Guide to Birds Nat Geo Field Guide to the Birds of NA ID Guide to North American Birds, Part I (Pyle)
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Dan Lory
Observer's address:	5404 S Kimbark Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	My wife, Harumi, was with me, but she relied on me for ID.
Date prepared:	11/03/23
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	Will send photos to utahbirds@gmail.com I welcome any critique of corrections of my ID. DL