Rare Bird Report #: 33-B-07

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES:

Summer Tanager

HOW MANY:

1, female

REPORTER:

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

REPORTER EMAIL:

cliffandlisa@octobersetters.com

OTHER OBSERVERS:

Theresa Mathis
Idaho Falls, ID
biogirltjm@yahoo.com

DATE REPORT PREPARED:

5/12/2007

DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED:

5/12/2007

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION:

Market Lake WMA, in the west shelter belt at the north end of the main marshes, about 70 yards north of where the Cottonwood trees end. this WMA is about 3 miles north of Roberts, ID, Jefferson County.

HABITAT:

Oasis in extensive desert/farm habitat.

CONDITIONS:

I observed the bird for a total of approximately 15-20 minutes spread out over about one hour. Distance ranged from 30 yards to about 15 feet, in sun and in shadow at about 8:00 AM. No wind. Temperature about 70 degrees. Binoculrs used are 10 x 42 Nikon Premier LX. This bird was found by Theresa Mathis who pointed it out to me when I arrived. Photos were obtained by Theresa's Husband (I think he is her husband any way, but don't remember his name). I will try to make sure they get submitted.

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 Guide to Birds of North America (Big Sibley).

DESCRIPTION:

Female type tanager. Larger than warblers and sparrows present and smaller than American Robins. From experience it appeared about the size of a Western Tanager. When perched it was more horizontal than verticle. Overall yellowish bird with little contrast in color. Upperparts yellowish olive, slightly warmer/yellower on the auriculars than the cap. Wings did not contrast with rest of upperparts and all coverts and flight feathers were olive edged with yellow and there were no wing bars present. Tail looked the same color as the wings and rest of upperparts, rectrices edged with yellow. Uppertail coverts showed slight orange wash near base of rectrices. Bill pale and large, obviously larger than Western Tanager both in length and width even without that species present for comparison. Culmen was darker/grayish, paling gradually towards the cutting edge which was pale yellowish. Culmen curved gently downward to bill tip making overall impression of a blunt tipped bill. Eye was dark. Underparts yellow, brighter on breast and undertail coverts than belly and flank. Undertail coverts were especially bright orange-yellow. Flanks pale grayish with yellow wash. I did not take note of leg color.

BEHAVIOR:

This individual was very sedate, perching for long periods without moving except to look around. The bird occasionally sallied then returned to perch with large insects that I could not ID. It was very tame, allowing close approach and much movement without any noticeable reaction. No other tanagers were present and no interactionis with other species were observed. No vocalizations were heard.

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

For me the large bill immediately made me think Summer Tanager. The lack of wing bars and lack of any contrast between wing and rest of upperparts clinched the ID.

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

Other Tangers are the real contenders for confusion. Bullock's Oriole could also possible be confused for Summer Tanager.

Bullock's Oriole, as well as other Orioles, are eliminated by the pale, blunt tipped bill.

Western Tanager in all plumages is eliminated by the lack of obvious wing bars. Female Western Tanager has a gray mantle that contrasts with rump and head and has a smaller bill than this bird.

Scarlet Tanager has contrast between wing and upperparts, wings not typically contrastingly edged, would not have the orange wash on the uppertail coverts, has a smaller and darker bill, and greenish upperparts.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES):

I have never seen a female Summer Tanager before. I have seen several female Scarlet Tanagers in NJ and many Western Tanagers in all plumages. I have no experience with Hepatic or Flame-colored Tanager.

GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE:

14 Years.

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

Photos were obtained by Theresa Mathis