Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons), Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, Santa Cruz County

This singing Yellow-thoated Vireo was discovered by David Stejskal on 26 August 2008 at the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve as a consequence of the "Patogonia Roadside Rest Area Effect." This term was first coined in the 1970's by Jim Lane in his famous Birdfinding Guide to SE Arizona and refers to the phenomenon of the discovery of one rarity bringing birders to an area and resulting in the discovery of other rarities. The term refers to the spot a few miles away from this sighting where the discovery of nesting Rose-throated Becards at the roadside rest area brought many birders to the area who discovered additional rarites, including some that, like the Sinaloa Wren that was the magnet for this discovery, were first records for the ABA area.

The Yellow-throated Vireo was photographed and recorded by Gary Rosenberg on 29 August 2008 and also photographed by Chris Benesh on the same date.

Yellow-throated Vireo is a casual spring and summer visitor to Arizona.  There are about 25 previous records. 

Note the thick vireo bill, bright yellow wash on head and throat, grayish flanks, prominent white wing bars and yellow spectacles.   

Sound Recording by Gary Rosenberg:

29 August 2008, photo by Gary Rosenberg

29 August 2008, photo by Chris Benesh