IBRC 64-B-09

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Broad-winged Hawk, Buteo platypterus
HOW MANY: one

REPORTER: Terry Gray 90- Stefany Ln Moscow ID 83843 208-882-1585
REPORTER EMAIL: clgtlg@moscow.com
OTHER OBSERVERS: none

DATE REPORT PREPARED: 11/8/2009
DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: October 16, 2009
LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: Moscow, Idaho. This bird was observed approximately 3/4 mile east of Mountain View Road north east of Moscow. Approximately 1 mile from my home.
HABITAT: Palouse Rolling Hills = 100% agriculture (wheat- peas)
CONDITIONS: Observed the bird for approximately 15 minutes. Clear sunny day. Observed the bird at Mid day. Observed the bird from the east and west and the sun was in the south. There was no wind and temperature was about 40 degrees. Looked at the bird from approximately 25 yards and also a flyover with Binoculars.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: Yes, during the observation
DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: Yes, later the same day
WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?: A photographic Guide to North American Raptors by Brian K Wheeler and William S Clark. The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North American and National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America

DESCRIPTION:
BEHAVIOR: Beteo Platypterus.There were a number of Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels hunting in this area that day. There were NO interactions with other birds and this bird was very much nervious being in the open as I could not get very close to this bird.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? The bird observed: I first saw this smalish bird land on a power pole in front of me. This bird sat on the top of the pole facing me. I was able to see a clear white breast with no markings white only. The bird also had an obvious mustache. The bird then flew and flew directly over me: The bird had very pointed wingtips. This bird had very little markings on the underside of the wings except for very dark wingtips which were black and the black continued along the tail edge of the wing clear to the body of the bird. The tail of this bird a a a wide white band at the time and a single dark band next to the band at the tip of the tail. This bird appeared to be bigger than a Merlin and smaller than a Red-tailed Hawk.
HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? I had observed this species while in the service so was familiar with this species. This bird did not resemble a Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawk in any way. I knew what it was as soon as I saw it. I used my notes to justify my id since it had been a few years since I had seen this species.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): Saw this species years ago while stationed in the southeastern USA.
GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: Been an avid birder for 12 years.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: None