Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-55
| Common name: |
Red-shouldered Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Buteo lineatus |
| Date: | 9/2/2026 |
| Time: | 7:29 AM |
| Length of time observed: | 2 Minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Burraston Ponds, Mona |
| County: | Juab |
| Latilong: | 39.793669, -111.863463 |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 30-40 yards |
| Optical equipment: | Scope, binoculars |
| Weather: | Cool, slightly cloudy |
| Light Conditions: | Sun had risen but slightly obstructed by cloud coverage |
| Description: Size of bird: | Noticeably smaller than a red tailed hawk. Felt like about the size of a stockier crow. |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Chunky, with a surprisingly long tail |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Brown, white, reddish/orange/cinnamon |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Hooked beak |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Noticeably smaller than Red-tailed Hawk. Appeared to
be about the size of a large crow. Chunky shape, with surprisingly long
tail. The tail had stark white bands , matched by the banding of the
primary feathers on the wing. In flight, the dark reddish/orange on the
coverts was clearly visible. The breast was a brown streaked with white,
leading to a buff-to-rusty shade on its legs. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Did not observe calling |
| Behavior: | Landed briefly on the dried algae mounds of the semi-drained pond. Remained still & perched for approximately 2 minutes, then took off flying low over the pond, then up and away obscured from view by trees lining the banks of the pond. Flapped wings frequently as it took off. |
| Habitat: | Low water level pond, with what initially appeared to be foam but I believe was dried grasses/algae on surface of the water. Muddy shoreline, tall grasses & trees lining the banks. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Eliminated red tailed hawk immediately due to size & distinctly different tail (stark white bands on outer tail feathers vs red tail). Eliminated Cooper's due to the red on the culverts being far too dramatic, & the breast appeared much darker to me than Cooper's. Eliminated Broad-winged for mostly the same reasons, as well as it being a more or less equally unlikely sighting to my knowledge. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
As a relatively inexperienced new birder this year, I relied on insights from those more experienced to confirm my thoughts & identification. I shared photos and spoke with Robert Parsons, Rob Parsons, & Jeff Cooper to make sure I hadn't missed anything. |
| References consulted: | Merlin, fellow birders, reviewing photos on Macaulay Library of all similar species |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Tyler Pincock |
| Observer's address: | Provo |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | None |
| Date prepared: | 9/8/2026 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |