Red-tailed Hawk dark morph? (1 Viewer)

[Atomsplitter]

I took these pictures December 17, 2021 in Indiana USA. Is this a dark morph red-tailed hawk or something else? Thanks!

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[Butty]

Bill looks small and tail long - so I think I'd favour dark-morph rough-legged hawk. But I shan't identify it from these.
Any more photos?

 

[Atomsplitter]

I found a couple more pictures of it in flight. A northern harrier came by this bird and they flew off together. I was driving after them and trying to get pictures and got the birds confused because I kept taking pictures of the harrier after they flew apart. It appears that I got these pictures before they separated. I remember it hovering briefly (picture 2 and 3) before they separated. Pictures taken into the sun(of course).

I think you are right about it being a dark-morph rough-legged hawk. Glad you ask for the extra pictures because I thought I only got pictures of the northern harrier in flight.

 

[Butty]

It looks to be having a good ole hover - with all that that implies 👍🏻

 

[Atomsplitter]

Thanks for your help. First dark-morph rough-legged hawk for me and what a beautiful bird.