Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2022-55
| Common name: |
Boreal Owl |
| Scientific name: | Aegolius funereus |
| Date: | 10/3/2022 |
| Time: | 7:35 PM for the first observation |
| Length of time observed: | Five minutes for the first observation. Flashlight was used only for ID purposes and to quickly capture images. |
| Number: | We counted five within a two-mile stretch in our targeted area. We observed two, one, then two. |
| Age: | All were in adult plumage. See photo for plumage details. |
| Sex: | One was noticeably large, so it was likely a female. Both sexes observed based on size differences. |
| Location: | The north slope of the Uinta Mountains (a forest road number or more specific details can be provided if required) |
| County: | Summit County |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 9700’ |
| Distance to bird: | Fifteen to 30 feet |
| Optical equipment: | Naked eye and camera lenses |
| Weather: | Skies were clear to partly cloudy, no wind, temps in the low 40s |
| Light Conditions: | Bright waxing gibbous moon. The birds were illuminated with headlamp and then briefly with flashlight to capture images |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
(See photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | No song. Sometimes a wheezy whistle was heard. Mostly silent during observation. |
| Behavior: | Responded to call and landed in nearby pines. Two were seen briefly flying across the road ahead of us. |
| Habitat: | Mixed conifer with scattered deciduous trees |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Compared with Northern Saw-whet, Boreal Owls have white spots rather than streaks in the forehead, pale rather than dark bills, dark and white rather than tawny and white facial feathers, smaller eyes in a bulkier head, and white spotting on the chest rather than streaking like a Saw-whet. The topside was gray/brown with white spotting throughout the back. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
This is our third year in a row observing them in the Uinta Mountains. Jeff has seen them near West Yellowstone and in Minnesota as well. |
| References consulted: | Not consulted due to previous experience with the species |
| Description from: | Memory and photos |
| Observer: | Terry Reid, James Loveless, and Jeff Cooper |
| Observer's address: | Pleasant Grove, UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 10/12/22 |
| Additional material: | Photo |
| Additional comments: |