Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Zone-tailed Hawk
Scientific name:	Buteo albonotatus
Date:	7/16/2024
Time:	10 AM
Length of time observed:	~5 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Juvenile
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Hurricane
County:	Washington
Latilong:	37.195969, -113.29105
Elevation:	3,300 ft
Distance to bird:	60 ft
Optical equipment:	8x42 binoculars
Weather:	(I don't remember specifically, but I recall viewing conditions were decent)
Light Conditions:	Mid-sized Buteo
Description: Size of bird:	Hawk/Buteo
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Dark brown/black
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	I wrote the following on July 16 (the same day of the observation) after I returned to my office: Initial observation was from the passenger seat of a work vehicle that was slowly approaching this bird along a dirt road. It was perched on top of a tall wooden post near the boundary of Confluence Park in Hurricane. My initial (distant) impression was a raven, but clearly was a dark Buteo upon closer approach. We stopped about 20 meters away and I was able to get a good view with binoculars. Noted the yellow cere with a bit of gray on the face and otherwise a very dark head and body. The underside of the tail was mostly whitish with several thin, dark bands. Also noticed some pale/grayish speckling on the breast/belly, which is consistent with a juvenile bird (along with the undertail markings). After watching for about 30 seconds with my binoculars, it flew towards the riparian area of the park and I saw the upper-parts quite well at close range as it flew over the nearby cliff-edge towards the Virgin River. Upper-parts (back and wing) in flight were relatively uniformly dark brown with some low-contrast upper-tail banding. I continued to watch through my binoculars and as it flew, it only flapped occasionally and appeared very similar to a Turkey Vulture in both wing shape, and gliding flight style with slight dihedral. I only got distant views of the under-wing pattern, but it clearly had the expected pale-gray primaries/secondaries that contrasted with the darker wing lining and coverts, and I could make out some subtle barring in the paler under-portion of the wing. It continued soaring around the confluence area for several minutes and was still in that vicinity when I left. While perched, I also got some terrible phone photos that may or may not be useful documentation. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	None
Behavior:	Perched, then flying
Habitat:	Desert/cliffs/riparian
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Turkey Vulture: Similar when viewed in flight, but when perched I got a clear look at the dark/feathered head and other features consistent with a Buteo. Common Black Hawk: Would have broader wings and a less agile/gliding flight style. Adult would show different undertail pattern with one wide, distinctive white band, and juvenile would be more pale and buffy overall. Red-tailed Hawk (dark morph): While extremely variable, most individuals would not show such a stark yellow/prominent cere, nor as much contrasting gray in the face. Generally not as uniformly dark plumage overall. Wings generally held straighter when soaring, and under-wing contrast would be more stark between primaries/secondaries and wing lining/coverts. Other dark morph Buteos: Eliminated for same reasons as RTHA. Also, other Buteos would be very unusual at this location during mid-summer.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	About 5 previous observations, including a couple at very close range.
References consulted:	Sibley Bird App, Macaulay Library
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Mike Schijf
Observer's address:	Ivins, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	I was with a co-worker who saw the bird, but she is not a birder and did not assist with the ID.
Date prepared:	12/13/2024
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	Apologies for the late submission, but as noted, all of the above notes were taken shortly after the observation (on the same day). Very bad phone photos will be sent to Milt.