Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 4-1993
| Common name: |
Broad-winged Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Buteo platypterus |
| Date: | 1 May 1993 |
| Time: | approximately 3 PM |
| Length of time observed: | approximately half minute |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | possibly immature, as red on breast was not noticed |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | (NE end of Deer Creek Reservoir, Heber Valley) |
| County: | Wasatch |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | ? (valley bottom) |
| Distance to bird: | ~200-300 ft. |
| Optical equipment: | 10 x 40 Bausch & Lomb Custom binoculars |
| Weather: | clear & sunny/partly cloudy |
| Light Conditions: | good |
| Detailed description of bird: |
--Buteo build, yet the jiz was wildly different from local buteos --Tail appeared very short & truncated, but turned out to be untruncated, but only short relative to body/wings --Tail black on top, with at least two visible distinct white bands in mid-tail --Wings pale below, outlined with very distinct dark fringe on flight feathers --Brownish above, pale below, with no bright color visible |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | -- |
| Behavior: | flew low (about 50' off ground, in a big arc toward trees in north |
| Habitat: | bare hill, sagebrush habitat next to Deer Creek Reservoir on to farmland with tall trees |
| Similar
species and how were they eliminated: |
--body proportions, "short" tail, and broad wings eliminate other buteos and
accipiters --black tail with broad white bands eliminates all other possible buteos in area --pale (not white) color below eliminates short-tailed hawk light phase, as did amount of black on tail (this hawk had more black than white on tail by far) --lack of reddish color, proportions, and number of stripes visible on tail eliminates red-shouldered hawk |
| Previous experience with this & similar species: |
I've never seen a broad-tailed hawk, but I have seen many buteos
|
| References consulted: | I recognized it as probably this species prior to consulting Peterson's Western guide and the National Geographic guide. Mark Stackhouse, though initially thinking it an odd Swainson's hawk, quickly came around when the bird revealed its underwings and tail as it passed. |
| Significance of record in this area or the state: | Listed as "occasional" on Aviary list of Northern Utah birds, and "rare" on other Utah list. Mark says they are more common during fall migration than spring. Looking at distribution maps, this last point makes sense. |
| Description from: | From memory (though salient points & arguments made there & then) |
| Observer: | David Salas Wheeler |
| Observer's address: | 2196 So. 1000 Ea., Salt Lake City, UT 84106 Phone: (801) 484-7319 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | |
| Other
observers who independently identified this bird: |
Mark Stackhouse |
| Date prepared: | 3 May 1993 |
| Additional material: | -- |
| : |
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