Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Boreal Owl
Scientific name:	Aegolius funereus
Date:	10/15/2022
Time:	7:25 PM for the first observation
Length of time observed:	Five minutes
Number:	Two
Age:	Both were in adult plumage
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Pitt and Page Hill area on the west side of Mirror Lake Highway
County:	Summit County
Latilong:
Elevation:	9600’
Distance to bird:	20’
Optical equipment:	Naked eye and camera lenses
Weather:	Clear skies, no wind, approximately 46°F
Light Conditions:	Moon was still below the horizon, so the forest was very dark
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:	No vocalizations heard
Behavior:	Responded to call. First bird flew into nearby tree and perched silently. The second bird was observed in flight.
Habitat:	Mixed conifer
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Compared with Northern Saw-whet, Boreal Owls have white spots rather than streaks in the forehead, pale rather than dark bills, dark and white rather than tawny and white facial feathers, 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 the back.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	This is our third year in a row observing them in the Uinta Mountains. Jeff has seen them in Wyoming and Minnesota as well.
References consulted:	Not consulted due to previous experience with the species
Description from:	Memory and photos
Observer:	Terry Reid, James Loveless, and Jeff Cooper
Observer's address:	Pleasant Grove, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	10/17/22
Additional material:	Photo
Additional comments: