Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Zone-tailed Hawk
Scientific name:	Buteo albonotatus
Date:	30 Aug 1999
Time:	1-3 pm
Length of time observed:	Approx 2 hours
Number:	2
Age:	immature
Sex:
Location:	Approx 1 mile N.W. pine park campground western Washington County
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	Ranged from 10 meters to 200 meters
Optical equipment:
Weather:	had rained heavily in the morning - at time of sighting it had cleared but some clouds and very windy.
Light Conditions:	Bright
Detailed description of bird:	The bird (birds) since I saw 2 apparent Zone-tailed hawks were soaring over & around a ridge approx 1 mile N.W of the pine park campground. The bird acted like a Turkey Vulture in the way it soured with its wings in a dihedral tilting back & forth. In fact Turkey Vultures were present. The Zone-tailed Hawks were dark blackish with two-toned wings darker in front light behind. The tail had numerous dark bands. The cere & the legs & toes (?) were yellow. The Zone-tailed Hawks were calling constantly as they flew around & over my head. The National Geo. field guide describes this call as a squeeling whistle and I guess that pretty well describes it. Over all the bird seemed long-winged & slender.
Song or call & method of delivery:	Already described (see above)
Behavior:	Already described (see above)
Habitat:	Pinion pine
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	1. Common Blackhawk has broader wings, less banded tail, different flight pattern, no 2 toned wings. 2. Turkey Vulture - red head, no barring on tail, dark legs 3. Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk - No 2 toned wings, diffenent flight pattern, tail dusky-white not banded, bulkier bird
Previous experience with this & similar species:
References consulted:
Description from:	Notes made later and from memory
Observer:	Terry Sadler
Observer's address:	887 Germania Ave, Murray, Utah 84123
Observer's e-mail address:
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	I believe quite a few other individuals observed the bird at other times but I was alone when I made my observations
Date prepared:	20 Mar 2000
Additional material:	Photos (slide are not yet posted), Original Documents