Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2024-02
| Common name: |
Lark Bunting |
| Scientific name: | Calamospiza melanocorys |
| Date: | 12/31/2023 |
| Time: | 1:30 PM |
| Length of time observed: | ~3 minutes total view time |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Unknown |
| Sex: | Female |
| Location: | Bench Road - NE of Enterprise |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 37.6036189, -113.6360721 |
| Elevation: | ~5500 ft |
| Distance to bird: | 15 ft |
| Optical equipment: | 8x42 binoculars / 500 mm lens |
| Weather: | Clear, mild |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | large sparrow |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | brown/white |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | bulky/short/conical |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Large sparrow, noticeably larger/bulkier compared to nearby
White-crowned Sparrows. Bulky silvery-gray bill with some black at base.
Light brown head with pale supercilium and very pale supraloral area,
medium-dark brown crown, thin white eye ring, thin eyeline. Pale malar
wraps around side of neck to rear of eyeline. White throat bordered by
thick, bold lateral throat stripe. Pale underparts with fine, dark
streaking extending down breast and flanks. Undertail coverts appeared
to be boldly marked. White tail tip was not noticed in the field, but is
visible in at least one photo. Upper-parts grayish brown. Large buffy/brownish
wing patch partially interrupted by some dark covert feathers. Very dark
tertials with buffy edges. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Silent |
| Behavior: | Perched low, then flying low along fenceline with WCSP flock. |
| Habitat: | Sagebrush flat mixed with various weeds. Adjacent to agricultural area. First observed by a line of cottonwood trees. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
House Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, and longspurs may superficially resemble a female/immature type Lark Bunting. However, the details of the bill shape, wing, breast streaking, structure, and overall size (relative to nearby WCSP) rule out those species. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
One previous LARB observation from Utah (a male
in breeding plumage). I came across an extremely large flock of LARB in southern New Mexico a few years ago, with many individuals similar to this bird. However, this is the best look I've had at a bird in this plumage. |
| References consulted: |
Sibley App Birds of the World Online Macaulay Library |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Mike Schijf |
| Observer's address: | Ivins, UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | John Schijf |
| Date prepared: | 1/4/2024 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |