Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Gray Hawk
Scientific name:	[Buteo plagiatus]
Date:	October 20, 2023
Time:	9:43am
Length of time observed:	1 min 52 seconds
Number:	1
Age:	unknown
Sex:	unknown
Location:	Roy, Utah
County:	Weber
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	20 feet
Optical equipment:
Weather:	Clear
Light Conditions:	Sunny, no clouds at all, the bird was in the shade of trees
Description: Size of bird:	Medium
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Round, similar to a dove or pidgeon, long tail with black on it, slightly curved or hooked beak
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Gray/blue, black on tail, white under wings
(Description:) Bill Type:	Curved or hooked
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Last night, a bird landed on the edge of our roof near the window. I was indoors so only caught a climpse out the window of its long tail. We have had kestrels in our yard, so I wondered ifnit was a kestrel, but the coloring wasn't right. This morning, about 9:15, I was on a walk and saw this gray bird with something in its talons sitting in the neighbor's yard. A magpie was approching it, obviously hoping for a scrap of whatever it was eating. They both flew away, the blue one still holding its prey. I left and came home 30 mins later and the gray bird was in our front yard on a pile of branches under our trees. It still had its prey under its talons. I pulled out my phone and began recording and taking photos. It moved around a bit and I could see under its wings was white. The whole bird was a blue/gray (my seven year old daughter described it as silver). After a minute and 52 seconds, it took flight, still carrying its prey. The bird appeared to have a short curved or hooked beak. Its tail was long with black. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	Watchful and defensive around the magpie, but not overtly cautious or nervous.
Habitat:
Similar species and how were they eliminated:
Previous experience with this & similar species:
References consulted:	Internet, siblings who are birders
Description from:	Notes made later From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Myself, Breclyn Everett, and my daughter [Lylok Eklund]
Observer's address:	4853 S 3575 W
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	October 20, 2023
Additional material:	Photos Tape [large video file - may be available later]
Additional comments: