Help on hawk ID

I spotted this white colored hawk on top of a utility pole and started making my way toward it when another hawk landed next to it. I believe these may be juvenile Cooper's Hawk but the white color on the one throws me off. I am not sure if this white color is a normal color variation for young hawks but both have distinct lighter brown head.

I only got 3 pictures as I approached before they both flew off, so the image is not of the best quality.

Tucson, AZ

The size and shape of them makes it clear they are Buteos and not Accipters (which Cooper's Hawks are) It appears that they are red-tailed hawks (note the barring on the chest of the lighter one. My guess is the one on the left is a "Western Adult" and the one on the right is a "Western Juvenile" but they are HIGHLY variable in color. This is based on the Peterson Guide.

- Luke

I agree with Luke - Red-tailed Hawks

You betchum, Red Ryder,
Both red-tails, and I'd bet both are adults. Get a load of them darkly pigmented irides in both birds.
David Graham

Hi Jim,
Most likely red-tails.
Best,
Mike Lascut
Nature Research Photography & Videography
Onto the next assignment™
http://www.MikePhoto.com

Thanks everybody, fairly new to all this and I could not ID with my new NG Guide Birds of North America book. I have never seen a white Red-Tailed before.

Jim--like Luke noted, redtails are extremely variable (just wait til you see a dark morph). They are the "default" buteo in most places in North America. By that I mean, when you find a buteo (a big bulky raptor with long wings and short tail, lacking the long tail of an accipiter or the generally obvious facial pattern of a falcon), it's generally best to start out assuming it's a redtail unless there are convincing reasons it is something else. The belly bands are a great mark for a redtail.

Thanks Brian, good things to know, I mostly see Cooper's Hawk in the desert behind our place so this was something new.