Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2023-63
| Common name: |
Boreal Owl |
| Scientific name: | Aegolius funereus |
| Date: | 9/28/2023 |
| Time: | 9:45 PM |
| Length of time observed: | Ten minutes |
| Number: | 2 |
| Age: | Appeared to be adults |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Forest Road 107 |
| County: | Summit |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | Between 9500' and 9600' |
| Distance to bird: | 15' |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon Z8 with 200-500mm Nikon lens and naked eye |
| Weather: | Calm, clear skies, full moon, 40 degrees, no precipitation |
| Light Conditions: | Full moon, flash light used for photos |
| Description: Size of bird: | Approximately 9-10" tall |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Similar to NSWO, but the head and body were bulkier |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Mostly brown with white spotting on the top side and some spotting and streaking on the underside. Facial discs were mostly white rather than buffy like NSWO. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Pale rather than dark like a Saw-whet. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Top side was brown with white spotting throughout. Underside was a mix
of brown streaking with white spotting. Facial discs were mostly white
with dark borders. Those borders were broken by white spotting on each
side. The forehead was brown with white spotting. The eyes and bill were
bordered by dark, nearly black, feathers. In relation to the bulky head,
the eyes appeared small. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Contact calls made in response to playback |
| Behavior: | Perched and moved about conifers |
| Habitat: | Conifers bordering a small open area |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
The head was bulkier than NSWO. The facial discs were white rather than buffy like NSWO. Pale rather than the dark bill of NSWO. Spotted forehead rather than streaked. Song was correct for BOOW. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have been observing and reporting BOOW each fall since 2020. Significant experience with NSWO. |
| References consulted: | None required for this observation |
| Description from: | From memory |
| 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 |