Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-06
| Common name: |
Gray Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Buteo Plagiatus |
| Date: | 01/22/26 |
| Time: | 2 |
| Length of time observed: | 1 |
| Number: | |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Saint George |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 37�'24.20"N 113�'39.10"W |
| Elevation: | 2575' |
| Distance to bird: | 10' |
| Optical equipment: | Eyes and cellphone camera |
| Weather: | Sunny w/ high clouds, no wind, approximately 60� F |
| Light Conditions: | Daylight with high thin clouds |
| Description: Size of bird: | About 15" tall perched, 20" from top of head to bottom of tail feathers |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Slender hawk |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Gray colored head and wings, tail feathers have gray and dark gray bands and white tips, black eyes, black beak, light gray face and neck, greyish brown speckled chest |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Sharp hooked bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
The bird's legs and feet are yellow. The bare leg was
exposed about 3 inches. It's foot had talons. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Did not hear it make any calls |
| Behavior: | It had caught a small bird (probably quail) and was perched on my fence holding the dead bird with one foot and eating it's catch |
| Habitat: | Suburban neighborhood near the Virgin River in Saint George |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Not red/brown with red tail like a Red-tailed Hawk. Does not have yellow eyes or owl like face like a Northern Harrier. Not brown, different chest feather pattern than a Cooper's Hawk. No brown/red chest like a Swainson's Hawk. Exposed legs not like a Rough-Legged Hawk. Not colored like a Ferruginous Hawk and probably too small. Does not have yellow eyes like a Northern Goshawk. Not black, not a Black Hawk. No red shoulders like a Red-Shouldered Hawk. Does not have red/brown head like a Broad-Winged Hawk. Not dark like a Zone-tailed Hawk. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have had a Cooper's Hawk visit our quail numerous times, no specific experience with Gray Hawks. |
| References consulted: |
www.allaboutbirds.org www.birdadvisors.com www.ownyardlife.com |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Benjamin Shewell |
| Observer's address: | 291 San Rafael Pl, Saint George, UT 84790 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 01/22/26 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |