Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2024-66


Common name:

Temmessee Warbler

Scientific name: [Oreothypis peregrina]
Date: 9/13/24
Time: About 11am
Length of time observed: Few seconds
Number: 1
Age: Adult?
Sex: Male?
Location: East shore of Sand Hollow Reservoir
County: Washington
Latilong:  
Elevation: 3000 ft
Distance to bird: 10-15 yards
Optical equipment: Swarovski 42x8.5
Weather: Clear & sunny, zero wind, about 75 degrees
Light Conditions: Bright sunshine coming from about 130 degrees to my right
Description:        Size of bird: Comparable to Orange-crowned Warbler
(Description:)       Basic Shape: Comparable to Orange-crowned Warbler
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: Comparable to a pale or washed-out Orange-crowned Warbler
(Description:)            Bill Type: Comparable to Orange-crowned Warbler
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Comparable to Orange-crowned Warbler except obviously paler, grayer head; more obvious/contrasty, paler and perhaps broader supercillium; paler/grayer-buffier below, with PALEST AREA at undertail coverts kind of a pale creamy buffy-gray; different shade or kind of green on back/wings: more rich-olive with a metallic sheen or bright undertone (hard to describe - color scheme reminds me somewhat of Red-eyed Vireo).
Song or call & method of delivery: Silent as far as I could tell, though it could have given a location or flight call I assumed was a different warbler.
Behavior: Associating with a sizable mixed flock of mostly Orange-crowns plus Yellows foraging in tamarisk.
Habitat: An extensive "stand" of well-spaced tamarisk (a favorite of migrating warblers) with reedbeds plus a few interspersed willows on the adjacent lake shore, and several small cottonwoods and a very few larger ones farther inshore, surrounded by an expanse of sage-scrub.
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Orange-crowned Warbler: The most obvious difference is the pale, lacking-any-yellow undertail coverts. The gray head was paler than any OC I've ever seen (I know there's considerable variation), and the green upperparts was a different shade and different type of green, with almost a goldish sheen (hard to describe).

Warbling Vireo: Too small. Size of this bird was easy to compare with the many Orange-crowns in same bush.

Bell's Vireo: Too compact and more colorful

Palm Warbler: This and other similar species are eliminated off the top by the pale, "unsaturated," lacking-any-yellow undertail coverts.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
Virtually none, tho I've seen them in CT. What I DID know was to focus on the undertail coverts. I have seen numerous other species listed above.
References consulted: Sibley field guide. AllAboutBirds.org: matches the first photo of a breeding plumage male.
Description from: Notes made later
Observer: Paul Hicks
Observer's address: 1630 E 2450 So #26, St George 84790
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: None
Date prepared: 9/14/24
Additional material: The mixed flock of Orange-crowned and Yellow Warblers were almost "thick" in the tamarisk (plus 3 MacGillivray's present). The pale gray head with the obvious paler supercillium immediately caught my attention, signalling this was a different species. I knew to immediately focus on the pale undertail coverts and confirmed this was the palest area of the underparts, lacking any of the more-saturated-yellowish coloration of the other warblers. Then I noted the brighter, gold/bronzy sheen to the greenish upperparts. Then I went back to study the head. Then it was gone.
Additional comments: