Goshawk?

I thought this was a northern harrier but now I think its a Goshawk, any thoughts??

thanks,

Bill

Fort Collins, CO

Bill,

This looks like a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk to me.

Certainly not a Harrier - can't tell you what species otherwise though.

I'm with Mia here. Looks like a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk.

I'd agree with Mia; it's definitely not a Northern Goshawk.

thanks all, that's helpful, I was actually out filming four new fox cubs when I passed this young chap and grabbed a couple of shots. The fox cubs were lots more fun!

Bill, just to give you a little more info, a harrier or goshawk would both have relatively long tails, where this bird's tail is short. The long wings and short tail make it a buteo, of which redtail is the most common. the lack of a red tail can throw you, but immatures lack the red tail.

Bill, Brian's points are spot-on! the width of banding on this bird's tail is exactly that expected in a juv. Red-tailed hawk.
Dave Graham
East River, SD