Dendroica magnolia

During the fall migration, we can see bird species heading south for winter, such as the rufous hummingbird, which breeds on the Arctic tundra. Others are arriving in Utah for winter, like the rough-legged hawk. Even not-so-normal visitors called vagrants are making surprise showings.

Keith Evans of Wasatch Audubon found a vagrant on Antelope Island at Fielding-Garr Ranch. The magnolia warbler is a handsome and familiar warbler of far northern forests. It breeds from Canada's Northwest Territories to Newfoundland, southward to central Alberta, Wisconsin and West Virginia. It winters in southern Mexico, Central America and on islands in the Caribbean. Utah falls far from its migration route, which makes its appearance here exciting for birders.

The breeding male has a bold black-and-white facial pattern. It has wing bars that are fused into a broad white panel, and heavy black streaks down the sides and flanks. The female is duller, with a mostly gray face and modest streaks on the sides.

Warblers are small songbirds, measuring 4 to 5 inches with a wingspan of 6 to 8 inches. They weigh a mere half-ounce. They glean insects, larvae and spiders from leaves, conifer needles and tree branches.

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* BILL FENIMORE is owner of the Layton Wild Bird Center. Join the Wild Bird Center on a free bird walk at 8 a.m. Saturday to the Weber River Parkway in Riverdale. Call 801-525-8400 or visit www.wildbird.com/layton for more details.