Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2021-73
| Common name: |
White-tailed Kite |
| Scientific name: | Elanus leucurus |
| Date: | 12/14/2021 |
| Time: | 8:30am |
| Length of time observed: | 1.5 hours |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Blue Creek Valley |
| County: | Box Elder |
| Latilong: | 41.730043, -112.443708 |
| Elevation: | 4,700ft |
| Distance to bird: | 100m at closest |
| Optical equipment: | Kowa 66mm spotting Scope |
| Weather: | Overcast, 45F, windy |
| Light Conditions: | Moderate |
| Description: Size of bird: | medium sized raptor |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | typical raptor |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | mostly white, black shoulders |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Typical Raptor |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Originally found and reported by Kendall Watkins and Quin Diaz on 12/13, I gave
chase and found it in the same location reported the next morning. Found perched
on a fence post and hovering, watched in the scope for over an hour. Mostly
white below with black wingtips and wrist spot, gray back with prominent black
shoulders. Long narrow pointed wings and long narrow tail. Often hovered, and
glided with a distinctive dihedral. Striking red iris seen when perched 100m
from the road on a fence post (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none heard |
| Behavior: | Either perched on short fence posts or actively hovering |
| Habitat: | wet meadows and pasture grasslands |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Distinctive plumage, structure and behavior Northern Harrier male larger with different flight pattern, tail not white Ferruginous Hawks will hover and are very white below but much larger with broader wings and a shorter tail, do not have a black wrist spot |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
many in Mexico, Texas and Colombia |
| References consulted: | memory |
| Description from: | 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: | Found by Kendall Watkins and Quin Diaz on 12/13, seen by many |
| Date prepared: | 12/16/21 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S98879954 |