Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2022-57
| Common name: |
Boreal Owl |
| Scientific name: | Aegolius funereus |
| Date: | 10/10/22 |
| Time: | 9:25 PM |
| Length of time observed: | Five to ten minutes |
| Number: | 2 |
| Age: | Adult plumage |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Mt Marsell area west of Mirror Lake Highway |
| County: | Summit |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 15' |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon D500 with 200-500mm Nikon lens and naked eye |
| Weather: | Clear to partly cloudy, no noticeable wind, temps in the low 30s. |
| Light Conditions: | Bright waning gibbous moon phase, |
| Description: Size of bird: | Approximately 9-10" tall |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Similar to NSWO, but the head and body were bulkier |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Brown and white. See description and photo. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
White facial disc bordered by dark frame, which was broken up by white
spotting. Yellow eyes looked small due to bulkiness of the head, pale
bill, brown topside with white spotting throughout, white spotting on
forehead, brown and white spotting and streaking on underside, banded
tail. (see photo) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | No singing. Skew call heard while out of sight. |
| Behavior: | Responded to call. |
| Habitat: | High-elevation mixed conifer |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
NSWO would have more of a tawny and white facial disc, brown and white streaking on chest. Spotting on back limited to two rows (braces) on each side, not random spotting throughout the topside. White streaking rather than spotting on forehead. Dark rather than pale bill. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have seen numerous individuals in the Uintas, Wyoming, and Minnesota |
| References consulted: | None consulted due to previous experiences and research |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Jeff Cooper |
| Observer's address: | Pleasant Grove, UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Terry Reid and James Loveless |
| Date prepared: | 10/16/22 |
| Additional material: | Photo |
| Additional comments: |