Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Gyrfalcon
Scientific name:	Falco rusticolus
Date:	12-1-2020
Time:	12:00pm
Length of time observed:	25 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Juvenile
Sex:	?
Location:	Willard Spur WMA
County:	Box Elder
Latilong:	41.342381, -112.144682
Elevation:	4200
Distance to bird:	200m at closest
Optical equipment:	Kowa 20-60X Spotting Scope, Nikon 10x42 Binoculars
Weather:	Sunny, clear, calm and cold, 35F
Light Conditions:	Bird was somewhat backlit from the low angle winter sun, but enough to see some plumage detail
Description: Size of bird:	Large falcon
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Mostly brownish
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	"Very large falcon interacting with Ravens. Essentially same size as Raven, maybe slightly smaller. White torso with heavy brown streaking, dark brown upper side, no malar or head striping noted. Underwing coverts entirely medium brown, flight feathers lighter gray brown. Over GISS was off for PRFA or PEFA, broad cheasted and chunky, very broad based wings and tail, shallow powerful wing beats, slower and deeper than PRFA but not as quick or deep as PEFA, dove on Raven several times, very quick and agile. Presumed Juvenile gray morph. Briefly soared with RLHA, similar in size, maybe slightly smaller." From notes taken directly after observing bird (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	None heard
Behavior:	Interacting with 4 Ravens and 1 Rough-legged Hawk for 15 minutes, then caught a thermal, soaring to very high, then headed SE
Habitat:	Open freshwater wetlands of willard spur and Harold Crane WMA, some upland grasslands as well
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Elimination: Prairie Falcon-smaller and slimmer with narrower wings, bold malar and white stripe on back of head, dark auxiliaries contrasting with pale torso and under wings, quick shallow wing beats Peregrine Falcon(juvenile), smaller and slimmer with narrower wings, deeper, faster wing beats with fluid motion. Darker sooty brown upper side, darker torso with heavy streaking contrasting with pale throat and heavy malar Additionally the possibility of an escaped captive Gyr exists, impossible to be certain, but this bird had no jesses or sign of captivity, and was in appropriate habitat and season for occurrence of a wild bird, behavior consistent with a wild bird as well. But that is the big question isn't it?
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I have only seen 2 other Gyrs, one an escaped captive, both were adults or sub-adults. I've seen many Peregrine and Prairie Falcons, including 2 Prairie 11-30-20, and 1 juvy Peregrine 11-28-20
References consulted:	Sibley app, Macaulay Library photos
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Bryant Olsen
Observer's address:	84102
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	None
Date prepared:	12-1-2020
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S76956697 (Note Gyrfalcon is a sensitive species on eBird so content hidden from public view)