Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2018-18b
| Common name: |
Zone-tailed Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Buteo albonotatus |
| Date: | 5/26/2018 |
| Time: | 9am |
| Length of time observed: | 5 sec |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Lava Point |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 37.38346, -113.02885 |
| Elevation: | 7900 |
| Distance to bird: | 50 to 100 meters |
| Optical equipment: | Cannon D7 with 100-400 lens |
| Weather: | partly cloudy , breezy |
| Light Conditions: | normal daylight |
| Description: Size of bird: | large |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | similar to turkey vulture |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Overall black with white tail band |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Hawk like light with dark tip |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
I did not recognize it in the field as Karen was monitoring the northern edge of
the plateau while I was photographing on the eastern edge. This bird was on the
southern edge and was behind a tree most of the time and I was struggling to get
the bird in focus because of the closeness of the tree. On reviewing photos
later we felt that this was a zone-tailed hawk (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | silent |
| Behavior: | flying without flapping |
| Habitat: | ponderosa pine, scrub oak |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Had white zone on tail and black head distinguishing it from turkey vulture |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Identified zone tailed in Arizona by call |
| References consulted: | sibleys |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Von Welch |
| Observer's address: | 11045 North 5550 West |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 5/28/18 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |