Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2023-62
| Common name: |
Boreal Owl |
| Scientific name: | Aegolius funereus |
| Date: | 9/14/2023 |
| Time: | 10:20 PM |
| Length of time observed: | About ten minutes |
| Number: | 2 |
| Age: | Appeared to be adult, possibly hatch-year bird |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Murdock Basin Road |
| County: | Wasatch |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 9500' |
| Distance to bird: | Approximately 15' |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon D500 with 200-500mm Nikon lens and naked eye |
| Weather: | Calm, low 40s |
| Light Conditions: | Nocturnal. Flashlight was used for observation. |
| Description: Size of bird: | Approximately 9-10" tall |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Similar to NSWO, but the head and body were bulkier, tapered at the hips |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Mostly brown with white spotting on the top side and some white spotting and brown streaking on the underside. Facial disc was mostly white rather than buffy like NSWO. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Pale rather than dark like a Saw-whet. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Large head with white facial disc bordered by dark brown. Brown border broken up by white spots on both sides. Topside was brown with white spotting throughout. Underside had brown/russet streaking mixed with white spotting. Eyes appeared small compared to the head size. See images. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | One bird sang the tooting song in the distance. The bird photographed made a contact call several times in response to playback. |
| Behavior: | Responded to playback. Perched in conifer. |
| Habitat: | Fairly dense coniferous woods with scattered aspens. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Northern Saw-whet would not have the pale bill, white facial disc, nor the nor the white spotting throughout the topside. Facial disc was white with a dark brown border rather than buffy like a Saw-whet. The Boreal Owl had spots rather than streaks on the forehead. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have seen numerous individuals each fall since 2020. Very familiar with both NSWO and BOOW. |
| References consulted: | Not needed for this observation |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Jeff Cooper |
| Observer's address: | |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | James Loveless and Terry Reid |
| Date prepared: | 10/3/2023 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | Photos will be shared with Milt Moody to add to the record |