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ID type of Hawk please?

Discussion

10 replies
Posted by David E Lester on January 20, 2013 at 8:02 AM
ID type of Hawk please?
While waiting for eagles to land n a near by tree, I was able to catch this bird flying by. I have seen it many times but dropped the ball photographing it. Got lucky now!

What is the name of it?

Thanks,

Dave
Posted by Luke Ormand on January 20, 2013 at 10:05 AM
My guess is broad-winged hawk
Posted by Peter Cross on January 20, 2013 at 10:06 PM
If this is a recent photo, then B-W hawk is unlikely as they essentially all winter in cent. and so. America. Would be really rare at this time of year. B-W's also have a heavily banded tail which this bird does not appear to have.
Posted by David E Lester on January 21, 2013 at 9:55 AM
Yes taken on 1/18/13, winter..I should have mentioned taken in Virginia....search continues?
Posted by David E Lester on January 21, 2013 at 9:59 AM
Yes taken on 1/18/13, winter..I should have mentioned taken in Virginia....search continues? Hesr is another shot if it helps any? Thanks,
Posted by Luke Ormand on January 21, 2013 at 10:28 AM
The 2nd photo you posted is a red-tailed hawk, but I'm doubtful it's the same as the first bird. The coloring of the heads is different.

You can see the bib across the breast and the reddish tint on the underside of the tail. You will also note the "dark commas" at the base of the outer flight feathers. The first photo you posted was tricky because the "bib" across the breast looked more like the tear-drop streaks of a cooper's or BW Hawk
Posted by David E Lester on January 21, 2013 at 1:38 PM
Dagnabbit..see the problems I have with some birds..LOL...thanks! All I seen were spots!
Posted by David Graham on January 21, 2013 at 9:34 PM
That's a juv. Red-tailed hawk. Note the hint of brick-ish reddish between the tail bands. Some juvies get a head-start on he brick-red pigment production with their first plumage!
Dave Graham, estelline, SD
Posted by David Graham on January 21, 2013 at 9:44 PM
Another point of diff from an accipiter; note that the rhamphotheca ( the kertinized mass of the upper/maxillary bill) is far more massive than the more refined, less massive beak of an accipiter and is typical of that of the red-tail, the North American Buteo with the most massive bill of its co-generics.
Dave Graham
Posted by Luke Ormand on January 21, 2013 at 10:05 PM
David - I believe you're right, but what threw me off on the first photo was the dark eye - a juvenile tends to have a very light eye
Posted by David E Lester on January 21, 2013 at 10:25 PM
Thanks Luke and David for the Red-Tail ID

Thanks David Graham...now then what did you say..lol.....I am looking in my "Field Guide To Birds Of North America" I can't seem to find a match for the photo I posted based on the markings on the top photo..lol....
I'm missing something?

Dave