Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Zone-tailed Hawk
Scientific name:	Buteo albonotatus
Date:	April 21, 2019
Time:	11:06 am
Length of time observed:	15 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Hurricane
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:	3250
Distance to bird:	~200 feet at closest times
Optical equipment:	Swarovski SLC 10x42 binoculars. Nikon P900 camera.
Weather:	Clear. 70 degrees.
Light Conditions:	Clear. Very few clouds.
Description: Size of bird:	Large hawk
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Buteo
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Black with some light areas
(Description:) Bill Type:	Raptor
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	While driving west on 400 South in Hurricane, a large bird caught my attention. At first glance it appeared to be just another Turkey Vulture, but something about the behavior and overall impression made me pull the car over and take a closer look. I immediately noticed multiple white bands on the tail and realized it was no Turkey Vulture. I scrambled to get out my camera and was able to spend the next 15 minutes watching the bird drift and soar over a half mile area gaining altitude and then dropping back down over and over. At times it was very Turkey Vulture-like with the dihedral tilting back and forth. Over the time I watched it, I took note of the solid black body, yellow legs, barring on the flight feathers, dark trailing edges of the wings, and the previously mentioned banding on the tail (I think there was three). The yellow cere is visible in photos, but I could not make it out as well in binoculars, or more possibly didn't think to look for it at the time. I took multiple photos and the bird stuck to the general area for 15 minutes until slowly drifting away to the south. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Did not vocalize
Behavior:
Habitat:
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Turkey Vulture was ruled out due to the banding on the tail, yellow legs, and head shape. Common Black Hawk was ruled out due to the number of bands on the tail and the very light barring on the flight feathers with the dark trailing edges of the wings. The bird also didn't seem as stout/chunky as a Common Black Hawk.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I've seen this species a few times in Arizona as well as Colombia
References consulted:	Sibley's. Stokes. iBird Ultimate. Allaboutbirds.org
Description from:	From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Steve Clark & Danielle Jarvis
Observer's address:	1045 S 1700 W Apt 623, Payson, Utah, 84651
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	I believe a few other birders reported the bird in La Verkin later in the day.
Date prepared:	May 16, 2019
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	Refer to eBird chdcklist https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55234088