Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2023-85
| Common name: |
Purple Finch |
| Scientific name: | Haemorhous purpureus |
| Date: | 12/16/2023 |
| Time: | 12:10 & 3:30 pm |
| Length of time observed: | Overall ~15 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Unknown |
| Sex: | Female/HY male? |
| Location: | West Warren Cemetery |
| County: | Weber |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4100 |
| Distance to bird: | 15 |
| Optical equipment: | Zeiss and Pentax binoculars, Sony a7ii camera with Sigma 60-600 lens. |
| Weather: | Clear. |
| Light Conditions: | Sunny with slight haze. |
| Description: Size of bird: | ~5.75 |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Finch |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Grayish-brown and white. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Conical finch type bill with the slightest of curvature of the culmen towards the tip. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Finch with distinct, brownish and white, facial pattern. Dark auricular
stripe with the darkest line post ocular. Very distinct white eyebrow
with brownish crown. Breast and flanks heavily streaked brownish over a
white-ish background. Clean white UTC s. Notched tail. Back was a
streaky brown. Wings were brown with pale edged primaries and
secondaries. Bill was a darker gray, conical shaped with the slightest
of curvature to the culmen. Short primary projection. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None heard/noticed. |
| Behavior: | Loosely associating with a large flock of HOFI while actively feeding on the fruit of a Mountain Ash. |
| Habitat: | Cemetery with hedgerow, conifers, and deciduous trees. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
HOFI- would be grayer overall with no noticeable facial pattern and a different bill shape. CAFI- Less distinctive facial pattern with a rustier , slightly streaked auricular or ear patch. Primary projection much longer than PUFI, UTC s would be streaked on CAFI. Bill of CAFI would be larger with a straight culmen. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I have observed both ssp of PUFI in the Midwest and California. |
| References consulted: | Online, Nat Geo & Sibley s field guides. |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Mike Hearell |
| Observer's address: | 8037 S 2500 E |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Taylor Abbott |
| Date prepared: | 12/19/2023 |
| Additional material: | (Photos) |
| Additional comments: |