IBRC 1-B-12

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Townsend's warbler
HOW MANY: 1; sex and age unknown

REPORTER: Kevin Glueckert 1705 N. 14th St. Boise, ID 83702-2604 208.908.8599
REPORTER EMAIL: sagetrout99@yahoo.com
OTHER OBSERVERS: Kevin Glueckert is the sole observer.

DATE REPORT PREPARED: January 6, 2012
DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: January 5, 2012

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: Nez Perce Co., Nez Perce National Historic Park, Spalding Site. ~150 m NE of Spalding cemetery. (~3.0 mi. N of Lapwai, ID)
HABITAT: Forested parkland near edge of field.
CONDITIONS: Duration of observation: 2 minutes Weather: Partly cloudy, light wind, ~49 degrees F Distance to bird: ~12 meters, at eye level Light conditions: good, sun low in sky behind observer Optics used: Leica 8 x 42 BN

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?: A Field Guide to Western Birds, Roger Tory Peterson, 1990. (Third Edition)

DESCRIPTION: Wood-warbler family (Emberizidae) The bird appears to be about 5" in length, slightly larger than a kinglet. The bill is slender and pointed. The bird has a dark (not black) cheek patch and cap, with a yellow superciliary, throat, and breast. The bird has distinct white wing bars with dark barring on the sides, and some dark barring contributing to a partial "necklace". The back is generally darkish green (same color as cap and cheek). NOTE: The plumage nearly exactly matches that of an adult breeding female, but I made no projection as to its age or sex, as I am away from home and most of my field guides, which may elucidate winter plumages by age and sex.
BEHAVIOR: The bird is seen at eye level, perched on an arched portion of the ~ 15 cm wide trunk of a decadent tree. The bird is seen fully broad-side, appearing to consume some food item that may or may not have been procured on the arched tree trunk. It moved briefly so that it was facing observer. It then flew up in to the canopy of a nearby ponderosa pine tree, and gave a single chip note (typical of several Dendroica sp.) There was a Bewick's wren within 15 meters, but no interaction was observed.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? This was virtually an immediate positive identification, upon seeing the plumage characteristics (especially the facial pattern) through binoculars. The alternating pattern of dark green crown and cheek patch, with yellow superciliary and throat, were diagnostic.
HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? Similar species include several Dendroica species (Hermit, Black-throated Green, Golden-cheeked). Hermit is eliminated by the extent of yellow on the throat, dark barring on sides, and the facial pattern. Black-throated Green is eliminated by the extent of yellow on the throat and breast, and by the intensity of darkness in cheek patch. Golden-cheeked is eliminated by the extent of yellow on throat and breast, and by facial pattern.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): My familiarity with this species is extensive. I have resided in Idaho and Washington since 1993, and have encountered this species regularly while conducting bird surveys professionally in montane forests of OR, WA, ID, and MT during the breeding season. I have frequently observed this species while spending personal time in montane forests during the breeding season, and while participating in migratory counts as a citizen scientist. I encountered hermit warblers frequently while conducting bird surveys for Klamath Bird Observatory in California and Oregon in 2002 and 2003. I spent two seasons ('97-'98) working on an intensive study site of golden-cheeked warblers at Fort Hood, TX. My experience with black-throated green warblers dates back to my days as an amateur birder in Wisconsin from 1982-92, where this species was encountered on breeding bird surveys, breeding bird atlas, and bird hikes that I led or participated in.
GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: I started birding in 1981, at age 12. My early experience was gained by participating in bird hikes with well-known local birding experts. I have been employed in a variety of ornithological studies. I have participated in an extensive variety of citizen science activities such as breeding bird atlas, breeding bird surveys, Christmas bird counts, migration counts. Most people that know me well call me an expert, but even with 30 years of birding background, I prefer to rate my expertise as advanced, since there is always so much more to learn.

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