Utah Sighting Record

Common name:	Cassin's Sparrow
Scientific name:	Aimmophila cassinii
Date:	9 June 1999
Time:	7:45 am
Length of time observed:	10 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	adult
Sex:	male
Location:	Wah Wah Valley, 12.5 miles north of Highway 21.
County:	Millard Co.
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	50 to 100 feet.
Optical equipment:
Weather:	clear, light wind.
Light Conditions:	bright, sun to my back
Detailed description of bird:	Bird was very nondescript. About the size & shape of a sage sparrow that was observed nearby. Upperparts were brownish-gray with no prominent markings. Underparts were pale gray with no streaking or spots. Bill was short & conical. Eye black. Wings brown & unmarked. Tail was fairly long, brown, with rounded tip. White tip on outer tail feathers, not prominent.
Song or call & method of delivery:	Song was given in flight. Song was 4 parts: 2 high notes & 2 lower notes, with the 2nd note extended teetee, saaeee, to, tee. Song was repeated 3-4 times/minute.
Behavior:	Bird would fly up from ground about 10 feet, sing, then fly back to ground.
Habitat:	Semi-desert shrub composed of scattered shadscale, winterfat, black sage, & cheatgrass
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Other sparrows with unmarked breast: Brewers - smaller, forked tail, long buzzy song. Grasshopper - very short tail, short buzz song Botteri - song different - several ships followed by a trill. Rufous-crowned - rufous cap & dark whisker stripe. None of these sparrows sing in flight.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I have seen & heard many Cassin's & Botteri Sparrows in SE Arizona. Very familiar with Brewers, Grasshopper, & Rufous-crowned Sparrow.
References consulted:	NGS Birds of NA.
Description from:	Notes taken at time of sighting
Observer:	Steven Hedges
Observer's address:	306 W, 970 N., Cedar City, UT 84720
Observer's e-mail address:
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	none that day. Several later: Lew Wilkinson, Mark Stackhouse, Terry Sadler
Date prepared:	June 10, 1999
Additional material:	I have a poor quality tape recording.
	Original Document