Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Boreal Owl
Scientific name:	Aegolius funereus
Date:	9/23/2021
Time:	8:10 PM
Length of time observed:	10 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Murdock Basin
County:	Wasatch
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	15'
Optical equipment:	Nikon D500 with 200-500mm Nikon lens and naked eye
Weather:	No wind, clear sky, temps in low 40s
Light Conditions:	Nocturnal and prior to the rise of a bright moon. Artificial light used to see and photograph the owl.
Description: Size of bird:	Approximately 9-10" tall
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Similar to NSWO, but the head and body were bulkier
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Mostly brown with white spotting on the top side and some spotting and streaking on the underside. Facial discs were mostly white rather than buffy like NSWO.
(Description:) Bill Type:	Pale rather than dark like a Saw-whet.
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Top side was brown with white spotting. Underside was a mix of brown with some white spotting and streaking. Facial discs were mostly white with dark borders on the outside edges. The forehead was brown with white spotting. The eyes and bill were bordered by dark, nearly black, feathers. In relation to the bulky head, the eyes seemed small. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	The owl vocalized it's tooting song in response to playback.
Behavior:	Observed as it perched and made a couple of short flights.
Habitat:	Conifer and aspen
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	The head was bulkier than NSWO. The facial discs were white rather than buffy like NSWO. Pale rather than the dark bill of NSWO. Spotted forehead rather than streaked. Song was correct for BOOW.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I found the species 11 months earlier in October of 2020 in the Murdock Basin area. Have seen them on two other occasions, one during the day in MN and the other at night near West Yellowstone.
References consulted:	Sibley app and various Cornell resources.
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Jeff Cooper
Observer's address:	3499 N 1270 W; Pleasant Grove, UT; 84062
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	I invited James Loveless along for the trip. He was able to see and photograph the bird.
Date prepared:	8/21/22
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments: