Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2024-83
| Common name: |
Crested Caracara |
| Scientific name: | Caracara plancus |
| Date: | 11-21-2024 |
| Time: | 10:30 a.m |
| Length of time observed: | 10-15 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Ouray National Wildlife Refuge |
| County: | Uintah |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 50-60 ft |
| Optical equipment: | canon camera w/zoom lens |
| Weather: | 35 degrees |
| Light Conditions: | Sunny |
| Description: Size of bird: | Approx: 20" |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Hawk-like |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Black w/white |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Heavy |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
black and white with yellow-orange legs and yellow-orange skin around
the bill. A black cap. White neck and cheeks. In flight the undertail
and outer flight feathers were white. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none observed |
| Behavior: | Calm, not too bothered by my presence before approach, but flew when I walked past him down the road. |
| Habitat: | At the time he was sitting in a dead tree among a long line of cottonwoods. There are trees, plus open grasslands/wetlands, with the Green River close. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
I did not eliminate any other similar species. Once home, I identified it through my description, and went no farther. I understand that this bird is not typically a Utah resident, I knew it was unusual from my sighting, and was prompted to do a report by an acquaintance that informed me that this bird has been seen before in late August of 2024. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
None |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Kathy Hackford |
| Observer's address: | 4888 W South Cove Rd, Roosevelt, UT 84403 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | None |
| Date prepared: | 11-22-2024 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: | I will email photos to the email provided |