Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Broad-winged Hawk
Scientific name:	Buteo platypterus
Date:	04-14-02
Time:	10:00
Length of time observed:	5 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	adult
Sex:	unknown
Location:	Beaver Dam Wash, Lytle Ranch
County:	Washington
Latilong:	19
Elevation:	~ 850 m
Distance to bird:	15-100 m, varied as it soared above us
Optical equipment:	10x42 binoculars
Weather:	Clear and calm
Light Conditions:	Clear and bright
Detailed description of bird:	Very small buteo, about 40-50% larger than nearby Sharp-shinned Hawk. (Kristen Comella, Grant Jense, and Mike Walters all commented that it was smaller than C. Black-Hawks observed earlier in the morning). Throat and upper chest was solid dark rufous. Breast heavily barred, barring diminishing towards tail. Underside of wings was very pale/white, with dark border along trailing edge from leading primaries to tail. Underside of short tail banded black and white, with a large prominant white band, and smaller pale terminal edge. An additional band (near the rump) was evident on the upperside of the tail. Feet were yellow.
Song or call & method of delivery:	Gave a high pitched whistle as it came into view flying over the riparian area, and was harassed by a Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Behavior:	We noticed it when it called, as it was being harrassed by a Sharp-shinned Hawk. It soared over the Lytle Ranch house and parking area for several minutes before we lost sight of it soaring down the Beaver Dam Wash.
Habitat:	Desert riparian corridor.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Red-tailed Hawk: larger and have black on leading edge of patagium. Common Black-Hawk: also larger but have similar banded tail, however wings and body are dark. Swainson's Hawk (light-morph): larger with more narrow pointed wings. They do have white wing linings however flight feathers are dark (rather than only trailing edge). Red-shouldered Hawk: similar in size, however multiple bands on tail and underwing is two-toned (darker linings and paler flight feathers). In addition all these species have different vocalizations.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I've seen both Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks many times over the last 10 years.
References consulted:	Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds
Description from:	Notes taken at time of sighting
Observer:	Rick Fridell, Kristen Comella
Observer's address:	3505 West 290 North, Hurricane UT 84737
Observer's e-mail address:	rfridell@redrock.net
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Grant Jense and Mike Walters
Date prepared:	10-20-02 (General Public)
Additional material:
Additional comments:	Description is taken from notes and very rough sketch completed immediately after viewing this hawk.