Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Zone-tailed Hawk
Scientific name:	Buteo albonotatus
Date:	6/5/2022
Time:	10:00 AM
Length of time observed:	10 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:
Location:	Pine Valley
County:	Washington
Latilong:	37.3970512, -113.5108937
Elevation:	~6,500 ft
Distance to bird:	~120 meters
Optical equipment:	8x42 binoculars and 500 mm lens
Weather:	Clear, warm
Light Conditions:	Mid-morning light
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Soaring Buteo
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Black, gray, white
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	While scanning above the fields in Pine Valley with my binoculars, a very dark soaring bird caught my attention. Immediate impression was a turkey vulture but then saw the tail banding and dark, feathered head. We watched it for a few minutes as I snapped some fairly distant photos. Other features included a two-tone underwing pattern - a very dark wing lining, contrasting with paler grayish primaries and secondaries. There was some thin, darker barring on the paler portion of underwing. Tail was mostly dark, with one obvious broad white tail band observed on underside. Yellow cere also observed. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Not heard
Behavior:	Soaring
Habitat:	Fields at edge of pinyon/juniper woodland. Also near areas of ponderosa pine forest and a small residential area.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Turkey Vulture: very similar shape and flight style, but TUVUs have a red, unfeathered head, and lack tail banding and barring under the wings. Common Black Hawk: Shows much broader wings when soaring, shorter tail, and longer legs. Other dark morph Buteos: Eliminated by tail banding and combination of other features previously described.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Zone-tailed Hawk: A few prior observations in Utah and Arizona. Turkey Vulture: Common, observed frequently (including several nearby, within minutes of this observation). Common Black Hawk: Observed annually in Washington County. Used to see frequently in southern Arizona.
References consulted:	ID'd from memory but also referred to Sibley Bird App.
Description from:	From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Mike Schijf
Observer's address:	109 S 330 W Ivins, UT 84738
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	John Schijf was with me
Date prepared:	10/11/2022
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	There were two adults seen at/near this location throughout the summer.