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#58-B-06

DAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Rose-breasted Grosbeak

HOW MANY: 1

REPORTER: Cliff Weisse, 4125 Beaver Springs Rd., Island Park, ID 83429
208-558-7789

REPORTER EMAIL: cliffandlisa@octobersetters.com

OTHER OBSERVERS: Lisa Weisse

DATE REPORT PREPARED: 10/9/06

DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: 8/28/05

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: At the end of Fremont County 2950E Rd., between Ashton and St. Anthony, along the Henry's Fork of the Snake River.

HABITAT:
Riparian, Hawthorn/Chokecherry thicket right on the bank of the river

CONDITIONS:
The bird was observed at distances of approximately 15-25 feet with Nikon 10 x 25 Mountaineer binocs. Total length of observation was less than ten minutes and the birds was seen off and on during that time.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: No, not at all

DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: No, not at all

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

DESCRIPTION: Immature male. Chunky bodied bird with large, heavy bill similar to Black-headed Grosbeak. Breast and flanks were orange and there was streaking across the breast. A few reddish feathers were visible on the center of the breast and this individual did not have the yellow lower breast typically shown by female Black-headed Grosbeak. In flight the wing linings were red.

BEHAVIOR: Feeding on berries in Hawthorne/Chokecherry thicket. I did not determine which berries it was eating.

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

The clincher was the red wing linings seen clearly at close range with binocs.

HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY?
The only species of confusion is Black-headed Grosbeak which is eliminated by red wing linings. This individual showed no atypical field marks that would suggest a hyrid between Black-headed x Rose-breasted.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES):
I see many Black-headed Grosbeaks annually. I've seen a few Rose-breasted in NJ and MI. The morning of the observation I was at Camas NWR were a first year male Rose-breasted was banded and I had an opportunity to examine the bird in hand. Important field marks, including the red wing linings, were discussed and I was shown these marks on the bird by Jay Carlisle. I also photographed that individual from several angles to make sure all important field marks were captured in the images.

GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE:
12 years.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: None