Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2004-16
| Common name: |
Harris's Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Parabuteo unicinctus |
| Date: | June 24 [2004] |
| Time: | 8-9 a.m. |
| Length of time observed: | 15 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | not known |
| Location: | Draper, 119th South 8th West |
| County: | Salt Lake |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | apx. 4500 ft. |
| Distance to bird: | apx. 40 ft |
| Optical equipment: |
Pentax Binoculars, Minolta camera |
| Weather: | Summy, apx. 70 degrees |
| Light Conditions: | Bright Daylight |
| Detailed description of bird: | Dark brown body, Chestnut colored shoulders, White lower underbody, White stripe along bottom of tail, Brown legs, hooked bill. Walked along grass until it reached a kiddy pool. Flew up and landed on ridge of pool, spreading its wings for several seconds. Stepped along the edge of the pool (pool was on a slight hill) until it reached an area where it could dip down and get a drink... it drank 5-6 times. Stepped along the edge of the pool again and then stepped into the pool... it splashed around, came out and landed on the edge again, shaking and fluffing. It repeated the whole routine again, this time concentrating on washing its head. It went to the edge again and then took flight several minutes later. [see photos] |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none |
| Behavior: | see bathing behavior above |
| Habitat: | grass, trees, shrubs, garden, fenced yard |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Swainsons Hawk... did not match color patterns |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
none |
| References consulted: | Sibley's Guide |
| Description from: | Notes taken at time of sighting |
| Observer: | Trish Wlodarczyk |
| Observer's address: | 818 Alan Point Circle Draper Utah |
| Observer's e-mail address: | trishwlodarczyk@hotmail.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: |
Paul Wlodarczyk |
| Date prepared: | July 10, [2004] (General Public) |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | Digital Pictures were already sent to the birdtalk site via Milton Moody. People commented that they thought the talons looked strange... I did not notice anything attached to the talons and legs of this hawk. |