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: