Zone-tailed Hawk

Status One record. One of the most unusual bird finds in recent years was an adult of this southern hawk seen in the vicinity of Musquodoboit Harbour, Halifax County, between 24 September and 4 October 1976. It was discovered by Andrew MacInnis, who alerted others, a number of whom were able to see the bird. All field marks were well documented, including its resemblance to a Turkey Vulture when soaring, and confirming photographs (National Museum of Canada, on file) were obtained by Eric Crowell.

Remarks The species breeds from northern South America to Arizona, Texas and New Mexico, where it is partially migratory. It has strayed to California and Nevada, but evidently not elsewhere in North America. Further discussion of this record, including the probability of its being a true vagrant rather than an escaped bird, is given by McLaren and MacInnes (1977).