Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2017-51
| Common name: |
Zone-tailed Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Buteo albonotatus |
| Date: | 4/19/2017 |
| Time: | around 8am |
| Length of time observed: | 10 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Lytle Ranch |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 50 feet |
| Optical equipment: | Nikkon 8x40; Swarovski 10x50 |
| Weather: | Clear, sunny, light breeze |
| Light Conditions: | Very good - early morning light |
| Description: Size of bird: | Large - vulture sized |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Like that of a raptor |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Dark with banding pattern on tail and two-toned underwings |
| (Description:) Bill Type: |
Not observed |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Black overall, three bands observed on the tail, V-shaped soaring pattern, two-toned underwings, head was not bald |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None |
| Behavior: | Soaring, possibly hunting |
| Habitat: | Mix of desert srubland and riparian zone |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Thought it was a turkey vulture at first but noticed the very distinctive banding pattern on the tail. This was the first clue that it was different. Three bands were observed along with two toned underwings. Flight pattern was more of a V-shape compared to a turkey vulture. Finally noticed that the head wasn't like that of a turkey vulture. This might not mean much but it was solitary when most TV observations were in groups at Lytle Ranch. The bird was observed circling the side of a cliff just inside the entrance to Lytle Ranch, similar to observations of this species that we made in Texas at Big Bend Ranch State Park. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Very familiar with the bird in other parts of its range including Trinidad and Texas. |
| References consulted: | Sibley |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Hema Kumar |
| Observer's address: | Bloomington, IL |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Kal Kumar |
| Date prepared: | 10/1/2017 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: | [nnina] |