Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2022-17
| Common name: |
Zone-tailed Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Buteo albonotatus |
| Date: | April 17, 2022 |
| Time: | 4:10pm |
| Length of time observed: | 5 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | South side of SunRiver residential community, mouth of Virgin River Gorge. |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 2500' |
| Distance to bird: | Flew overhead ~30 feet |
| Optical equipment: | iPhone |
| Weather: | clear and warm... 60˚F |
| Light Conditions: | Bright |
| Description: Size of bird: | thought it was a turkey vulture. The body shape and flying characteristics are similar. |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Hawk |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
This was a rather quick ID by both Ron and myself. First it was headed
from the Southwest and the Virgin Gorge to the Northeast and Zion
National Park. They have been seen there, but not by me. My sightings
are listed below. We figured it was migrating north . May on the Kolob would account for a May sighting in SunRiver. SunRiver is positioned at the border of Utah and Arizona at the mouth of the Virgin River Gorge along the Virgin =iver. Bird definitely has a hawk head which eliminates the Turkey Vulture. The other most similar species is the Common-Black Hawk, which this bird could be. but I ve studied the Common-Black Hawk here in Washington County extensively and the double white ring on the tail calls for a Zone-tailed Hawk over the Common-Black Hawk. Plus the tail is more extended in the Zone-tailed Hawk. In the Black Hawk the tail is more rounded. The two tone wings are a bit more pronounced then the Common-Black Hawk. Legs in most Common-Black Hawks reach close to end of tail. You can see on this bird that they are nowhere near the end of the tail. (see photo) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | n/a |
| Behavior: | In flight SW to NE |
| Habitat: | Residential edge to BLM land on border with Arizona (Arizona Strip) and Utah. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Turkey Vulture. Tail on this bird longer than feet and two bands of white on tail and head that of a bird of prey. No red. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Kolob Reservoir in Utah, May 2003 Pine Park in Utah, Aug 2002 Cattle Call Park in California, Jan 2003 Dudleyville in Arizona, June 1984 Boyce Thompson Arbor. in Arizona June 1983 |
| References consulted: |
Sibley Guid to Birds National Geographic, Field Guide to the Birds of North America Peterson Field Guides: Hawks Clark, Wheeler |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bill Hunter |
| Observer's address: | 4438 S Broadmoor Dr St. George, UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Ron Smith |
| Date prepared: | May 9, 2022 |
| Additional material: | Photo |
| Additional comments: | Sent Colby a picture |