Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Blue-headed Vireo
Scientific name:	Vireo solitarius
Date:	09/13/25
Time:	9:00 AM
Length of time observed:	3-5 min
Number:	1
Age:	unknown
Sex:	unknown
Location:	Feilding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park
County:	Davis
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	30ft or more
Optical equipment:	vortex viper binoculars and Nikon d500 and 200-500mm lens
Weather:	Sunny
Light Conditions:	Bright direct sunshine (shade in photo)
Description: Size of bird:	large sparrow sized, about 5 in
(Description:) Basic Shape:	small and stocky, large headed, medium length tail
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	very bright, stark white eye ring and throat, yellow wash on flanks,blue gray head contrasting with yellow-green back
(Description:) Bill Type:	stout bill, slightly hooked at end
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Extremely bright vireo, Blue-gray head contrasting with bright green-yellow back and pure white throat. Throat sharply contrasting with the blue-gray head. Bright white spectacles. Flanks very bright yellow which would not be expected in Cassin's even at this time of year when CAVI would be at their brightest. Silent bird, high in the canopy. (see photo)
Song or call & method of delivery:	[Silent bird, high in the canopy.]
Behavior:	Foraging in the canopy, always high up. Silent
Habitat:	Picnic area at Feilding Garr ranch. Evenly spaced Alders(?)... Elms(?)... planted.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Cassin's Vireo. Cassin's vireo is at its brightest at this time in fall but this bird was exceptionally bright. Not as bright flanks or back color on CAVI. Contrasting Yellow-green back consistent with BHVI where CAVI usually not as contrasting (head and back blend together) Plumbeus vireo. PLVI displays plain gray plumage, not as contrasty as either CAVI or BHVI.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I have seen Blue Headed Vireo in Texas, New Hampshire and Maine. I have seen Cassin's vireos in the west in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and Utah. I have seen bright Cassin's vireo in fall including in the hand while banding in New Mexico, as well as I have seen lots of plumbeous vireo throughout the west. I have only seen the very plain gray individuals not the brighter central american individuals.
References consulted:	Sibley app, Merlin app, Ebird page for all three species (looking at occurrences and photos of all plumages)
Description from:	From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Kaleb Anderson
Observer's address:
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Mckay Olsen
Date prepared:	10/21/25
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	Notes taken from ebird checklist (https://ebird.org/checklist/S273176374) submitted after sighting. Mckay Olsen made original ID. Initially we dismissed the bird as an extremely bright CAVI but after reviewing photos BHVI seemed to be more consistent with the feild marks and extremely bright coloration.