Documentation of
Lucy's Warbler
2011-214
Observer Information
Reporter:
Matt Newport
Other Observers:
none. birding alone.; solo birder
Species, Date, Time and Location Information
Species:
Lucy's Warbler
First Date/Time:
6/3/2011
Last Date/Time:
Duration (total time in view):
10 minutes
County:
Montezuma
Specific Location:
37.36193 latitude, -108.94977 longitude
see link: http://fms.ws/4yo3x/37.36193N/108.94977W
Number:
1
Age:
Unknown
Sex:
Unknown
Plumage:
Other/Unknown
Habitat
Cottonwood trees and underbrush along stream. Riparian area in desert SW Colorado. Very dense growth of Cottonwoods, willows, and tamarask.
Viewing Conditions
Optics:
Nikon Monarach 10x42 binoculars
Distance:
closest 20ft. Farthest 50-75ft...estimated based on distance measured in my back yard
Light:
Good light, but was shaded within the cottonwoods.
sky was clear and blue...day before the Arizona fires exploded and made the skies completely hazy.
Description of the Bird
Small overall and slender gray bird. First observation was it's lighter colored throat in comparison to its back and wings. I want to say that the face seemed mottled with white and gray patches. Overall, though, was this was a very pale gray bird. Final confirmation was the brown rump patch visible when it flitted between trees. I was never able to view a crown patch. Shape was definitely that of a warbler and never once thought of it being a vireo or other bird. No eye ring or eyebrow excluded Warbling Vireo and Gray Vireo. No apparent wing bars.
Behaviors: Yellow Jacket Canyon is a heavily wooded riparian area of Cottonwoods and Tamarask. There were many Yellow-rumped Warblers all calling along this whole stretch of woods, almost became a background sound. At one point I heard a distinctly different "chink" come from a bush right next to me, and out flew a small gray bird. It flew up into a cottonwood where it continued calling (never stopping to sing) as it fed. It never stopped and rapidly flitted from branch to branch while feeding. It favored the lower branches of the canapy the entire time observed, never being in the higher portions of the cottonwoods. For ten minutes I followed this bird from tree to tree downstream trying for a photo, but was not successful. It never stopped moving enough for me to catch up with it in the camera viewfinder. At one point it finally flew to another cottonwood and abrubtly stopped calling. I was not able to relocate. During the ten minutes, I was able to see it's rump patch several times.
Call: Calling was a very sharp "chink" in comparison to all the Yellow Warblers present and their "chips"
Plumage: Adult?
Similar Species Discussion
Virginia's Warbler...no yellow seen at all.Tail appeared shorter than what I have seen on Virginia's.
Warbling Vireo...no eyebrow, seemed to small, wrong call
Plumbeous Vireo...no eye ring, no wing bars
Gray Vireo...no apparent eye ring, tail not long enough, wrong call
Gray Flycatcher...too small, behaviour not correct, wrong call.
Resources Used
Kaufman's guide to birds of north america...at time of sighting.
Peterson's guide to birds of north america...after return to car.
Peterson's "Warblers" after returning home.
Previous Experience
Life bird.
Notes
Notes made AFTER observation
Additional Information
Materials Available
No files uploaded.
Date Documentation Submitted
6/9/2011 1:40:00 PM