Rare Bird Report 3-A-08

#: 3-A-08

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES:  Canada Warbler (Male)

HOW MANY  1

REPORTER:  Steve Butterworth

960 Country Road

Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402

(208) 522-6493 Cell 520-7990

REPORTER EMAIL:    tntbutters@cableone.net

OTHER OBSERVERS:

Steve Butterworth

Marty Collar

Cliff Weisse

Darren Clarke

Bob Davis

Jay Carlise

Jake Briggs

& others

DATE REPORT PREPARED:   Copied from Hard copy filled out in June

DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED:   May 31, 2008

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: Camas WIldlife Management Area near Hamer, Idaho

Jefferson County  Found in the North West corner of what is called the straight-a-way to local birders foraging in the low brush and on the ground near a bench.

HABITAT: Low growth understory of a Cottonwood windbreak

CONDITIONS: Marty, Cliff and I were siting on bench when the bird foraged towards us with a Wilson's warbler and Hermit Thrush.  The bird was observed foraging with 10 feet of us and was observed off and on for at least 1 hour by numerous birders who were alerted to the bird.  The weather was mostly clear and sunny and the Sun was overhead.  Optics used by myself are Swift Audubon 8.5 x 44 roof prism model.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?:   No, not at all

DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?:   Yes, later the same day

WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?:

Sibley's ,  Kaufman's Birds of North Bird American, Kenn Kaufman,  Copyrighted 2000

National Geogrphic Completed Birds of North America, Jonathan Alderfer, 2006

DESCRIPTION:   Wood Warblers Family Parulidae, Genus Wilsonia, Species canadensis

Bird was a Blu-gray on the upperparts with a strongly contrasting yellow throat, flanks and belly.  Yellow spectacles, with strong eye-ring, Black necklace across the breast, white undertail coverts and pinkish legs.

BEHAVIOR: 

Bird was very actively foraging mostly on gound or fallen wood.  Flicked wings from time to time. Flight observed was generally low and short.  Came into view with a Wilson's warbler and thrush. 

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU?

The Black necklace against the bright yellow throat and underbelly were diagnostic.  yellow specticles,white eyering, pink legs and white undertail coverts continued to provide solid evidence.

HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY?

Kentucky (no record yet, maybe next year)is fairly similar but lacks the Black necklace.

Connecticut (two recorded here)has eyering but lacks the yellow specticles, and yellow throat and black necklace.

MacGillivray's are common here, males could be described as having a necklace by some but lack the yellow throat and spectacles

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): 

 Only one other seen (female) in Tennesse last year. Radnor Lake near Nashville

GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: 

 Active for at least six years. Fairly proficent in most species, weaker in Gulls and shorebirds (peeps).

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: 

 Photo  (Photos by Jake Briggs included in report by Cliff Weisse)