Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-08a
| Common name: |
Red-shouldered Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Buteo lineatus |
| Date: | 1/8/26 |
| Time: | 11:15 AM |
| Length of time observed: | 45 minutes |
| Number: | NA |
| Age: | Juvenile |
| Sex: | NA |
| Location: | 41.08881N, 112.07052W [Syracuse] |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | 41.08881N, 112.07052W |
| Elevation: | 4,272 |
| Distance to bird: | NA [in hand] |
| Optical equipment: | Scope |
| Weather: | Cloudy, light snow |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | Medium |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Buteo |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Brown and white, heavily streaked |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Medium sized Buteo with long tail, overall color brown and white with
heavy streaking, light rufous shoulder patches. Checkered outer wing
pattern seen while perched. White and dark brown banded tail and wings
with dark edges. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | Perched on telephone wire scanning open field. |
| Habitat: | Urban area |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Red tailed hawk: bird had longer tail than expected with a red tail and
was a smaller size. Noticed checkered pattern along wing edges while
perched and saw banded tail indicating a different species. Coopers/Sharp shinned Hawk: Bird was a bit too bulky to be a coopers hawk or sharp shinned hawk, not as straight backed as expected with a coop/sharp shinned. While tail on bird seen was long for a buteo it was too short for a coop/sharp shinned hawk. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Jessica Taylor (Hawkwatch international biologist) was present for this sighting and banding of the individual. She has had previous encounters and banding experience with red shouldered hawks at migration sites. |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Whitney Maxfield, Jessica Taylor |
| Observer's address: | 864 Simpson Ave Salt Lake City |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Jessica Taylor |
| Date prepared: | 2/3/26 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | This bird was banded with hawkwatch international. |