 Documentation of
        Summer Tanager
Documentation of
        Summer Tanager
        2011-212  
        
    
    
        
Observer Information
        Reporter:  
        Marcel Such 
        
         
        
        
        
        E-mail:  
        
        
        Other Observers:  
        Nick Moore, Ali Iyoob, Matt Daw, Joel Such, David Such, Renee Haip; We were the original finders
    
    
        
Species, Date, Time and Location Information
        Species:  
        Summer Tanager
        
        First Date/Time:  
        5/23/2011
        
        Last Date/Time:  
        
        
        Duration (total time in view):  
        10 minutes
        
        County:  
        Jefferson
        
        Specific Location:  
        Random pull-off of Highway 6 in Clear Creek Canyon (Lat 39.736215, Long -105.386840)
        
        Number:  
        1
        
        Age:  
        Unknown
        
        Sex:  
        Male
        
        Plumage:  
        Other/Unknown
        
    
    
	
        
            
Habitat
            Perched in Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) over clear mountain creek. Habitat surrounding was Juniper (Juniperus sp.) shrubland.
        
    
 
    
	
        
            
Viewing Conditions
            Optics:  
            Alpen 8x42 binoculars, Canon 40D with 400mm fixed lens.
            
            Distance:  
            20' Estimated.
            
            Light:  
            Good, clear light, though bird partially obscured by branches/leaves at some times.
        
    
 
    
        
Description of the Bird
        Mid-sized. Bill pale yellowish and shortish, thick and stout in structure. Overall rose-red with dingy yellow highlights. Wings yellow-green with dark gray centers of feathers. Eye dark.
Behaviors: Sat in tree calling repeatedly. After a few minutes it flew down canyon.
Call: Call a coarse "biduk", given every few seconds. No other calls given.
Plumage: immature
    
    
	
        
            
Similar Species Discussion
            Structure and size and red coloring leaves us with just Hepatic Tanager, Summer Tanager, and Scarlet Tanager (lack of wing bars eliminates Western Tanager).
 
 The dark bill gray highlights, and call of Hepatic Tanager eliminate it from consideration.
 
 The dark wings and bill and the call of Scarlet Tanager eliminate it from consideration.
        
    
 
    
	
        
            
Resources Used
            Sibley Guide to Birds
        
    
 
    
	
        
            
Previous Experience
            Joel, Marcel, and Nick have lots of experience with Western Tanager, and some experience with Summer and Scarlet Tanagers. Ali and Matt have lots of experience with Summer and Scarlet Tanagers, and some with Western Tanager. No experience with Hepatic Tanager.
        
    
 
    
	
        
            
Notes
            Notes made DURING observation
        
    
 
    
    
    
        
Date Documentation Submitted
        9/7/2012 11:56:00 AM
    
    
	
        
            
		
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