Vulture??? (1 Viewer)

[mali]

Another one I found from my USA trip to Cary, North Carolina in September 2008. Some kind of Vulture I guess? And yes KC, if you look in, I can even remember what street corner I stood on when I snapped this un.

 

[Jon Turner]

No - not a Vulture surely?

 

[chris butterworth]

That head looks rather / very strange but, it's a sub-adult Red-tailed Hawk.

 

[Peter C.]

Agree, Red-tailed Hawk. Can't see a lot of detail about the "weirdness" at the bill, but I suspect it is carrying something.

 

[KC Foggin]

Yup, with that belt across it's chest, it appears to be a Red-tailed Hawk but that beak sure is strange. Guess I'm not drinking enough beer Cuz

 

[mali]

It was the beak/bill shape that made me think it was a kind of Vulture...Thanks for your ID guys n' gals, much appreciated.

 

[AllanM]

Just been reading about a condition that affects RTH's called Long-billed Hawk Syndrome. Perhaps this guy was suffering from a case of this.
Link for info:
http://audubonportland.org/wcc/research/long-billed

 

[KC Foggin]

A great find Allan and very interesting.

 

[AllanM]

You're very welcome