Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2003-15
| Common name: |
Common Black-Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Buteogallus anthracinus |
| Date: | 5-9-2003 |
| Time: | 10:00am |
| Length of time observed: | 30 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Verdure Creek, Abajo Mountains (UTM 639788 E 4183160 N) |
| County: | San Juan |
| Latilong: | N 37deg 47 min W 109 deg 24 min |
| Elevation: | 7,450 feet |
| Distance to bird: | 25 meters |
| Optical equipment: | 10X42 binoculars |
| Weather: | Cloudy; 4-7 mph wind from NW; 41 F Temp. |
| Light Conditions: | Overcast but still good lighting. |
| Detailed description of bird: | While perched it appeared all black except for the bright yellow cere and facial skin. When it flew a large white band was observed about mid-tail with another small white band at the terminal end of the tail. While flying the wings appeared broad for this size of hawk. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | First seen perched in Gambel's oak over small pond, it flew downstream along the small stream through the aspen trees and perched again over the creek in an aspen tree then in a dead Ponderosa pine. Always perched over stream and flew through the trees instead of flying over the trees. |
| Habitat: | Ponderosa pine forest with scattered patches of aspen mainly along the stream. Small ponds present along the stream |
| Similar
species and how were they eliminated: |
Zone-tailed Hawk - Eliminated because of location of white bands on tail and less yellow on cere and facial skin. |
| Previous experience with this & similar species: | I have seen this species in Arizona on one other occasion. |
| References consulted: | Sibley Guide to Birds; Hawk, Eagles, and Falcons of North America by Paul A Johnsgard. |
| Description from: | |
| Observer: | Brian Maxfield |
| Observer's address: | PO Box 510051 Mountain Home Utah 84051 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | brianmaxfield@utah.gov |
| Other
observers who independently identified this bird: |
Amy Seglund, Sensitive Species Biologist, UDWR Bill James, Habitat Section Chief, UDWR Barbara USFS, Wildlife Biologist, Moab/Monticello District |
| Date prepared: | 5-11-2003 (General Public) |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |