Tucson, AZ - Purple Eyed Predatory Bird (1 Viewer)

[jwarne1]

Hello.

I was walking into Tucson Medical Center on Sunday and on an outward facing window sill, three feet from my face, there was a predatory bird with a dead bird in its clause. The predatory bird was not an eagle, it may have been some sort of hawk or vulture, but it was too short snouted to be a vulture. It had very distinct purple eyes. I mean, bright purple. I tried to take a picture, it was that close. But it flew away as I pulled out my phone.

Is anyone familiar with a bird like this?

Pictures?

I've checked a bunch of websites, but have not seen a picture of a bird like this for Tucson sites.

I'm extremely interested to know what it was.

 

[jmepler]

Hi and welcome to Birdforum.

There are several raptors that have red eyes which I suppose could be mistaken for bright purple. The most likely of these that would prey on a bird would be Cooper's Hawk or Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Check them out here and here.

Mike