Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2022-05
| Common name: |
Great Gray Owl |
| Scientific name: | Strix nebulosa |
| Date: | 01/17/2022 |
| Time: | 4:30PM |
| Length of time observed: | 15 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Layton, Utah |
| County: | Davis County |
| Latilong: | 41.094540, -111.968792 |
| Elevation: | approx. 4347 feet |
| Distance to bird: | 10 meters |
| Optical equipment: | binoculars, point-and-shoot camera |
| Weather: | no precip, low wind |
| Light Conditions: | overcast |
| Description: Size of bird: | large |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | owl |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | gray |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | raptor |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
see photo, large owl, large head, gray overall |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | no audio |
| Behavior: | perched |
| Habitat: | residential neighborhood, few open fields adjacent to neighborhood |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
easily distinguished from great horned owl |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
first great gray owl sighting in the lower 48 |
| References consulted: | Sibley |
| Description from: | see photo |
| Observer: | Amy Harvey |
| Observer's address: | 759 E 600 S Salt Lake City, UT 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Tracey Harvey |
| Date prepared: | 3/7/2022 |
| Additional material: | Photos - see attachments |
| Additional comments: | Bird was first pointed out to Tracey Harvey by some surprised and thrilled homeowners. Tracey texted me a photo and told me her location. I drove to Layton, UT from Salt Lake City, UT and observed the bird in the same backyard. A friend went to look for it the next day and it was no longer there. BBMAs were harassing the GGOW. |