Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2008-20
| Common name: |
Zone-tailed Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Buteo albonotatus |
| Date: | 03-29-08 |
| Time: | 11:00 |
| Length of time observed: | 5-10 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Leeds Creek, along Oak Grove Road between Cedar Ridge and Ash Grove Spring |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 19 |
| Elevation: | 1525 m |
| Distance to bird: | 100 m |
| Optical equipment: | 8x42 binoculars |
| Weather: | |
| Light Conditions: | sunny |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
At the distance viewed, hawk appeared all dark and very similiar in flight to a
Turkey Vulture with long broad wings appearing to have silvery
secondaries and primaries and splayed primary tips. Light subterminal tailband
visible from below when the bird banked. (see photo) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | na |
| Behavior: | soaring with tippy flight, wings held in dihedral reminiscent of a Turkey Vulture. |
| Habitat: | pinyon/juniper/manzanita foothills, canyons, Leeds Creek area. |
| 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 made later |
| 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: | Photo |
| Additional Comments: |