Raptor Littleton Colorado USA (1 Viewer)

[Puffins4Life]

Poor picture, but spotted this raptor sitting in a prairie dog field. The beak was too large for a hawk. Was thinking Juvenile Eagle? Any thoughts? Breast was white and neck was spotted/streaks. Huge yellow eye. Looked like legs where covered in white feathers also.

 

[Deb Burhinus]

When was the photo taken? Maybe male Rough-legged Hawk, hard to say!

 

[Puffins4Life]

Photo (poor at that) taken just today.

 

[KenM]

Ferruginous Hawk might be a candidate?

Cheers

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Ferruginous Hawk might be a candidate?

Cheers

By jove, I think you’ve got it! 🙂

 

[Deb Burhinus]

imm. Ferruginous here

ML42565611 - Ferruginous Hawk - Macaulay Library

Macaulay Library ML42565611; © David Wade; Larimer, Colorado, United States

macaulaylibrary.org

Ferruginous Hawk - Buteo regalis - Media Search - Macaulay Library and eBird

Explore millions of photos, audio recordings, and videos of birds and other animals; powered by Macaulay Library and eBird. The Macaulay Library collects, archives, and distributes wildlife media for research, education, and conservation.

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Long gape and long snouty look with heavily feathered tarsus can give eagle-like impression for sure!

 

[Puffins4Life]

Thanks for the insight. The fact that is was just standing in the open field without moving seems indicative behavior as well. Ferruginous!

 

[KC Foggin]

Ferruginous Hawk for me as it seems to match up with my Google search.

 

[Seanbirds]

Ferruginous Hawk for me as it seems to match up with my Google search.

No offense meant, but you confirm birds by looking on GOOGLE??!!??
EDIT- agreed with Ferruginous Hawk.

 

[KC Foggin]

Offense taken!

 

[Seanbirds]

Offense taken!

Please tell me you’re joking...

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Please tell me you’re joking...

KC often googles for the answer by her own admission - even with British species but usually gets them right which is what counts 😁

Isn’t that right KC 😉

 

[connorco]

Why is this not a Red-tailed? The head seems too dark for a Ferruginous while the wings seem too light. It also doesn't look like one structurally to me. If the legs are feathered, I would accept this as a Ferruginous, but that isn't visible in this photo.

 

[birdmeister]

Why is this not a Red-tailed? The head seems too dark for a Ferruginous while the wings seem too light. It also doesn't look like one structurally to me. If the legs are feathered, I would accept this as a Ferruginous, but that isn't visible in this photo.

I'm late to this thread, but I first thought Red-tailed when I saw the image, too. Immatures can have a paler face overall, which I think can accent the gape. I seem to see the normal "belly band" on this bird, too.

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Why is this not a Red-tailed? The head seems too dark for a Ferruginous while the wings seem too light. It also doesn't look like one structurally to me. If the legs are feathered, I would accept this as a Ferruginous, but that isn't visible in this photo.

You could be right but read the OP’s description ‘it looked like the legs were covered in white feathers’. Immature/juvenile Ferruginous Hawks have dark heads with concentration of dark feathering on the flanks

ML304232281 - Ferruginous Hawk - Macaulay Library

Macaulay Library ML304232281; © Mike Thompson; Montezuma, Colorado, United States

macaulaylibrary.org

Structure looks fine to me - note the head shape in particular, with the long gape and very pale iris

ML304128181 - Ferruginous Hawk - Macaulay Library

Macaulay Library ML304128181; © Mike Thompson; Montezuma, Colorado, United States

macaulaylibrary.org

I’m not sure what else can be seen of the structure.

I think it could be either on plumage! 🙂