Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Red-shouldered Hawk
Scientific name:	Buteo lineatus
Date:	Jan 30 & Feb 4, 2024
Time:	Various
Length of time observed:	10 minutes between 2 observations
Number:	1
Age:	Juvenile
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Hurricane
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	~60 ft
Optical equipment:	8x42 binoculars / 500 mm lens
Weather:
Light Conditions:	Poor/fading during initial observation. Good/clear during second observation.
Description: Size of bird:	Smallish Buteo
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	This observation is from almost a year ago, and since I got several decent ID photos, I didn't spend much time taking extensive notes of the bird at the time. However, the following description was copied from my eBird checklist from January 30, 2024, when the bird was initially observed: "Juvenile, observed at dusk. Extensively marked underparts with boldly streaked bib, patchy white on wing/upper-parts, and longish tail. Seen at 800 West / 300 South in neighborhood by Gould Wash area." See link to eBird checklists below from my two observations: January 30, 2024: February 4, 2024: (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	None
Behavior:	Perched in tree, low flight, then perched on wood pile
Habitat:	Residential neighborhood near riparian area
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Red-tailed Hawk: Larger overall with longer wings and shorter tail. Plumage is highly variable, but the extent of white in upper-parts, details of streaking on underparts, wide upper-tail banding, and rustiness on lesser upper-wing coverts, in combination, eliminate this species. Cooper's Hawk: Relatively similar at first glance. However, COHA would have longer tail, shorter wings, and would appear more slender overall. Upper-part pattern/color would differ significantly (less white and rustiness, etc.). Broad-winged Hawk: Smaller than RSHA, paler underparts, solid brownish upper-parts, and much less likely to occur in Utah during winter.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	This was my third or fourth encounter with RSHA in Utah. I had also just photographed one two weeks prior in Bunkerville, NV, and have seen many in recent years in California. Extensive experience with most similar species. However, relatively limited experience with Broad-winged Hawk.
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:	Observed and/or photographed by many through February 17th (according to eBird). This overlapped with the influx of birders searching for the Gray Hawk, and some got to see both perched on a powerline simultaneously.
Date prepared:	12/30/2024
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	Another Red-shouldered Hawk has been reported in a nearby Hurricane neighborhood this winter. Hopefully someone submits a sight record for that one (I haven't seen it yet).