Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Boreal Owl
Scientific name:	Aegolius funereus
Date:	9/23/2022
Time:	8:30 PM for the first observation
Length of time observed:	Five to 10 minutes for the first observation. Lighting was used only for ID purposes and to quickly capture images.
Number:	We counted eight along our journey. We observed two at a time in some locations. However, we conservatively reported four to eBird in order to avoid the possibility of duplicating a count for a bird that may have flown a 1/3 to half a mile or more to show up at subsequent stopping point. Stopping distances were at least 1/3 (if nothing was observed at the previous stop) or half a mile apart. We kept call volume low and distances separated as we traveled to reduce the possibility of counting a bird more than once and to assess how abundant the species might be in the area.
Age:	All were adults based on plumage
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Murdock Basin
County:	Wasatch County
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	A couple of them perched within 10’ of us.
Optical equipment:	Naked eye and 500mm Nikon lens (when photographing one of the birds)
Weather:	Temps were between upper 30s and 41 F and sky was clear, showing countless stars
Light Conditions:	Illuminated with flashlight for members of the group to see and capture images
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	(see photo)
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	Responded to call, landed in nearby trees without calling. Some were seen in flight. Six were seen perched or flying. Two were heard giving a single skew call from a distance. None of the birds sang.
Habitat:	Mixed conifer and deciduous montane forest
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Personal experience makes it easy to distinguish between adult Boreal and Northern Saw-whet Owls, which we also observed the same night. Boreals have spots rather than streaks in the forehead, pale rather than dark bills, black/dark and white rather than tawny and white faces, smaller eyes in a bulkier head, and white spotting on the chest rather than streaking like a Saw-whet. The topside was gray/brown with white spotting throughout where Saw-whets have a couple of lines of spots that show on the back.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	This is my third year in a row observing them in the Murdock Basin. Have seen them in West Yellowstone and Minnesota.
References consulted:	Not consulted due to previous experience with the species
Description from:	(see photo)
Observer:	Jeff Cooper
Observer's address:	Pleasant Grove, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Found by Jeff Cooper and shown to five others who were in our group. Group members included Suzi Holt, Jacob Hyden, Kevin Wheeler, Terry Reid, and James Loveless.
Date prepared:	9/25/22
Additional material:	Photo
Additional comments: