Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2018-18
| Common name: |
Zone-tailed Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Buteo albonotatus |
| Date: | 05/04/2018 |
| Time: | 1810 |
| Length of time observed: | approximately 4 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Zion NP - Kolob Reservoir Road, 2-3 miles south of Lava Point |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 6500-7000ft |
| Distance to bird: | 1/4 of a mile approximately |
| Optical equipment: | 10x42 Binoculars, Nikon D5500 with 55-300mm lens |
| Weather: | Clear sky,warm day |
| Light Conditions: | Sunny, no clouds |
| Description: Size of bird: | larger than COHA, smaller than TUVU |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Buteo shape |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Very dark all over |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
At first glance I thought it was a Turkey Vulture due to the very dark coloring and slightly lighter wing pattern of the bird but upon looking closer (through my binoculars) I could tell it wasn't. It was a very dark buteo type bird with feathered head, yellow cere and long tail with broad white mid-tail band. Overall smaller than Turkey Vultures that were also soaring nearby. See photo. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | n/a |
| Behavior: | Soaring in circles high in the sky |
| Habitat: | Open rugged field near woodland and canyon |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Similar coloring and wing pattern of Turkey Vulture. The Zone-tailed Hawk had a feathered head instead of a bald black or red head. It also had a yellow cere, a broad white mid-tail band and was smaller than Turkey Vultures that were also soaring nearby. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
This was my first sighting of a Zone-tailed Hawk but I'm familiar with Turkey Vultures from numerous yearly sightings spanning over several years. |
| References consulted: | The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2nd edition and National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 6th edition |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Joanna Kane |
| Observer's address: | |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Pomera Fronce |
| Date prepared: | 05/08/2018 |
| Additional material: | Photo |
| Additional comments: |