Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Zone-tailed Hawk
Scientific name:	Buteo albonotatus
Date:	7/1/2023
Time:	2:00 PM
Length of time observed:	~2 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:
Location:	Pine Valley Mountains
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:	~7,200 ft
Distance to bird:	~50 ft
Optical equipment:	8x42 binoculars and 500 mm lens
Weather:	Warm, clear
Light Conditions:	Mid-day, back-lit
Description: Size of bird:	Medium Buteo
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Black, white, gray
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	While hiking up a drainage south of the Pine Valley Recreation Area, I flushed this bird, which was apparently perched high in a Ponderosa Pine almost directly above me. Immediately recognized as a Zone-tailed Hawk based on tail banding and details of flight style. I already had my camera draped over my shoulder so I started snapping photos at fairly close range. Only two photos actually turned out, and both were heavily backlit. (shadows were lightened and exposure was boosted slightly to bring out detail in photo included with this record). After it flushed, this bird glided low and weaved in and out of the trees, initially flying away before circling back towards me 2 or 3 times. Eventually I lost sight of it as it disappeared behind some trees. Identification Details: ID in the field was initially based on the gliding flight style (turkey vulture-esque), dark body/head, and banded tail (only observed underside). Photo shows additional details including a yellow cere, dark wing lining, contrastingly paler primaries and secondaries with thin darker barring, and yellow feet. (see photo)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Silent
Behavior:	Low gliding in between trees
Habitat:	Mixed conifer - Mostly Ponderosa Pine and Fir, next to a flowing creek.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Turkey Vulture: Eliminated by details of head, tail, feet, and underwing pattern. Common Black Hawk: Eliminated by flight style and structure (would appear bulkier overall with longer legs, shorter tail, and broader wings). Other dark morph Buteos: Much variability, but none showing combination of banded tail, (especially dark tail with thick white band), flight style, and combination of features previously described.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Zone-tailed Hawk: I believe this is my 5th time observing in Utah (including one very close to here on June 5, 2022). Turkey Vulture: Frequently observed, common species. Common Black Hawk: Normally observed at least annually in Washington County, and have also observed many times in southern Arizona.
References consulted:	Sibley app, Google images
Description from:	From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Mike Schijf
Observer's address:	Ivins, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	None
Date prepared:	7/5/2023
Additional material:	Photo
Additional comments:	After I lost sight of this bird, I spent some time in this area searching for a potential nest site, but had no luck. I still suspect there is a nest in this area, and last year I was informed of two Zone-tails in this same drainage.