Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2008-19
| Common name: |
Zone-tailed Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Buteo albonotatus |
| Date: | 04-24-08 |
| Time: | ~ 1730 |
| Length of time observed: | 45 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | female |
| Location: | Along Santa Clara River from Shem Diversion upstream to north Shivwits boundary |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 19 |
| Elevation: | 980 - 1000 m |
| Distance to bird: | 10 - 50 m |
| Optical equipment: | 8x42 binoculars |
| Weather: | clear |
| Light Conditions: | sunny |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Larg dark raptor with blackish body and head. Wings - long and broad with
rounded tips showing five splayed primaries; upper and underwing coverts black;
underside of primaries and secondaries with thin fine barring and darker tips.
Tail - relatively long and black with ventral surface showing wide grayish band
on mid-section, and thinner bands (3) towards body visible on spread tail;
dorsal side also with wide grayish mid-band, and one thinner inner band; all
rectrices with pale tips. Head - with dark eye, and dark bill, and yellow cere
and gap. Legs - yellow. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | na |
| Behavior: | very active, flying along the Santa Clara occasionally low and through the riparian area and often over/through adjacent ridges and valleys. Perched briefly once in top of dead cottonwood but was run off by Am. Kestrels. |
| Habitat: | Cottonwood riparian area and adjacent hillsides and lava ridges |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Turkey Vulture - eliminated by feathered head with yellow ceres Common Black-Hawk - eliminated by broader wings, no contrast on under-wing linings, shorter tail, etc. dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk has pale panels at the base of primaries. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
yes |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | Notes taken at time of sighting |
| Observer: | Rick Fridell |
| Observer's address: | 35050 West 290 North |
| Observer's e-mail address: | rfridell@redrock.net |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | none |
| Date prepared: | 08-25-08 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional Comments: |