Colorado Hawk (1 Viewer)

[Discovery39s]

Is this hawk a Ferruginous or Rough-legged or an immature Red-Tail?

 

[MLoyko]

Welcome to the forum!

Looking at the two (red-tailed and Ferruginous) I cannot tell which one it is! I'm probably missing something obvious that somebody will come along and point out but here is what I think

I'm leaning more towards a juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk. My reasoning, which isn't very concrete I guess, is...

The wings look like they have too much white on them from the pictures of Ferruginous I have seen. It also looks like the start of a belly band on the bird as well. Also the head does not look as long as the Ferruginous Hawk pictures I've seen. My reasoning for a juvie is the tail is not rufous yet.

That is my opinion but somebody should be along soon to prove me wrong!

Matt

 

[Jim M.]

I believe it is a juvenile light morph Swainson's Hawk. Rough-legged Hawk does not show up in Colorado until the beginning of October. It would also typically show a smaller beak and dark belly. Ferruginous Hawk would not show the dark malar stripe and typically shows a very long gape. Red-tailed Hawk would have bare tarsi, and would not show the dark eye-line and malar stripe.

Beautiful bird!

Best,
Jim

 

[JANJ]

Agree with Jim, juvenile Swainson´s Hawk for the reasons he made.
Note in the image that it appears to have two dark malar stripes - which is not the case in juv. Swainson´s, where the dark malar continues down on the breast side (in a variable size). The reasons for this impression might simply be the angle of the bird.

http://www.pbase.com/wes242/image/84312098

Also note long wings - reaching tail tip or slightly beyond, which we don´t see in the subject bird.

JanJ

 

[The Falcon]

Welcome to the Forum.

I agree with juvenile Swainson's Hawk, for the reasons outlined by Jim and JanJ.

 

[Discovery39s]

Hmmmm food for thought. I have pictures of Dark Morph Swainson's so I will compare features. Thanks for everyones input! Keep em coming!

 

[Jim M.]

Hmmmm food for thought. I have pictures of Dark Morph Swainson's so I will compare features. Thanks for everyones input! Keep em coming!

I am confident Swainson's Hawk is the correct ID. On page 292 of "Raptors of Western North America" (by Brian Wheeler) there is a photo of a juvenile Swainson's Hawk that is pretty much an exact match for your bird -- it also shows the distinctive light feather edgings clearly shown in your photo. (Also, since you are new here, I will note that JanJ is one of our most knowledgeable posters when it comes to raptor ID).

Here is a link to some photos of similar birds: http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/SWHA.html

Best,
Jim

 

[Discovery39s]

Yes, I believe that it is a LT morph Juv Swainson's. At our first look, we thought it had feathers all the way down the legs, but after looking at the photo closer, I discovered that it did not.
Now I have photos of a dark adult and a lt juv.
Thanks JanJ and all that have assisted.
David

 

[MLoyko]

Agree with Jim, juvenile Swainson´s Hawk for the reasons he made.
Note in the image that it appears to have two dark malar stripes - which is not the case in juv. Swainson´s, where the dark malar continues down on the breast side (in a variable size). The reasons for this impression might simply be the angle of the bird.

Oops! My bad. Scratch what I said o !

 

[Jeff Bouton]

While in agreement with all others, this is a classic look for a fresh juv Swainson's. I would also add though that beyond length of primaries that the very obviously darker flight feathers as compared to the coverts is a good clue as well. You'll also note that this bird does not show a good "belly band" of streaks, as Red-taileds typically would. The streaks run down the flanks only.

Best,

Jeff

 

[ceasar]

I am confident Swainson's Hawk is the correct ID. On page 292 of "Raptors of Western North America" (by Brian Wheeler) there is a photo of a juvenile Swainson's Hawk that is pretty much an exact match for your bird -- it also shows the distinctive light feather edgings clearly shown in your photo. .............

Best,
Jim

Hi Jim,
See you got the book. Pretty good, isn't it? Highly recommended for all those interested in North American Raptors. The paper back price of $29.95 is pretty good too, for a 540 page tome, I'd say. It has about 100 more pages than the eastern edition. (I think I originally, and erroneously, said it would cost 19.95)
Cordially,
Bob

 

[Jim M.]

Hi Jim,
See you got the book. Pretty good, isn't it? Highly recommended for all those interested in North American Raptors. The paper back price of $29.95 is pretty good too, for a 540 page tome, I'd say. It has about 100 more pages than the eastern edition. (I think I originally, and erroneously, said it would cost 19.95)
Cordially,
Bob

Hi Bob,

Yes. I purchased the Eastern Wheeler's several months ago, but only recently decided to get the Western as well. I think one of the best aspects of the books is the judicious selection of quality photos. In most cases, pretty much every different plumage that you may encounter is depicted. No more no less. That is just what you need from a photo guide to make it as good as (or possibly better than) a guide with quality paintings.

Best,
Jim