Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Pileated Woodpecker
Scientific name:	Dryocopus pileatus
Date:	May 6, 2006
Time:	11:10 a.m.
Length of time observed:	about 10-15 seconds
Number:	1
Age:	not known
Sex:	not known
Location:	above Highway 6 in Spanish Fork canyon, near the entrance to the Covered Bridge development
County:	Utah
Latilong:
Elevation:	about 5000' (?)
Distance to bird:	it was initially several hundred yards east of me but flew directly toward me for 10-15 seconds and then passed me at a distance of 40-50 feet and an altitue of 20-25'
Optical equipment:	none
Weather:	sunny and warm
Light Conditions:	excellent; it was clear and the sun was very high overhead
Description: Size of bird:	crow-sized
(Description:) Basic Shape:	see below
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	see below
(Description:) Bill Type:	long, heavy, dark, pointed
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	- the bird had a very heavy large dark straight bill about 3" in length - the bird had a very conspicuous crest, although I was unable to ascertain its color - the bird was large, slightly larger than a crow and smaller than a raven - the bird had a mostly pure white face with a black mask across its eyes - the entire underside of the wings was pure white, except for the back edges and wing-tips. Other than that the bird was nearly all black. - the bird had a neck, i.e., it's head was well in front of the leading edge of its wings, unlike sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks. The neck was much shorter and thicker than the necks of herons, egrets, and cormorants. - the bird was a very strong flier and flew like a woodpecker with a flap-glide pattern, 4-8 strong deep flaps and then gliding with its wings close to its body
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	it flew very strong, straight, and purposefully and then disappeared from view down canyon before I could pull over and take another look at it
Habitat:	riparian with large cottonwoods, and oak brush woodlands lining the hillsides above the canyon bottom
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	the only thing remotely close to a bird of this description that occurs commonly in Utah is a belted kingfisher, which is a smaller bird with different coloration
Previous experience with this & similar species:	none at the time, although I just returned from a birding trip to Georgia during which I saw a number of these birds. These Georgia sightings have reinforced my opinion that the bird I saw and am reporting was in fact a pileated woodpecker
References consulted:	The Sibley Guide to Birds; National Geographic Field Guide To The Birds Of North America, 3rd Ed.
Description from:	Notes taken at time of sighting
Observer:	Lu Giddings
Observer's address:	438 Ocampo Lane, Elk Ridge, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	seldom74@xmission.com
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	none
Date prepared:	July 4, 2006
Additional material:
Additional comments:	While I am confident that the bird I saw was a pileated woodpecker, it is my opinion that this report in not adequate to be accepted as a state first. I saw the bird clearly but quickly. There are no photographs. No one else saw or has seen the bird. It would be bad science to accept this under the circumstances.