Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-20
| Common name: |
Zone-tailed Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Buteo albonotatus |
| Date: | May 6th, 2026 |
| Time: | 8:30 am |
| Length of time observed: | 2-3 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Immature plummage |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Fish Ford, Ut |
| County: | |
| Latilong: | 38�'26.5"N 109�'51.4"W |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | Overhead, roughly 200 ft |
| Optical equipment: | 8x42 |
| Weather: | Clear and calm at time of observation. Followed huge winds and rain before. |
| Light Conditions: | Good. Bright, low sun |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Flying with a turkey vulture - of which was significantly smaller. I immediately thought that s a buteo. The bird showed good looks both above a below before flying south west over the ridge. Immature plumage. All dark above: distinctly so- dark slate color was noticeable and obvious. From below the lighting was not as good. But noticeable dark trailing edge on tail. No distinct bands on tail consistent with immature plumage. No noticeable molting not sure if a first year bird should be molting by early May or not. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | Soaring with TUVU then gliding southwest |
| Habitat: | Above the Colorado river/ cottonwood forest/ then desert bluffs. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Ruled out RLHA by darker underwing on this bird and completely dark above and ontail as well ( a totally dark above RLHA would show brighter white underneath I think). Also time year- I imagine RLHA are north by now. Ruled out dark immature RTHA by completely dark/ slate top and distinctive dark band on trailing edge of tail. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I did two Hawk Watch Int. Fall migration 2 month long surveys. One in 2002 in Washington state. And one in the Grand Canyon in 2003 where I did observe ZTHA semi regularly. Been an active birder since. |
| References consulted: | Sibley- I knew I was out of normal range for ZTHA butI didn t realize it would be considered an immense rarity. Note: NO photos taken. The form will not let me un click and I hit it by accident. |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Eric Dinkel |
| Observer's address: | 1523 S Meade st. Denver, CO 80219 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 5/10 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |