South Florida Hawk ID (1 Viewer)

[Brian Carter]

Hi folks,
I'm attaching a photo of what I initially felt was a light morph of a Redtailed Hawk. The photo was taken at a distance, along Okeechobee Rd in Broward County. While I'm at it, I would like to include two other shots which I would appreciate help with, all previously taken in Florida's Everglades. I have labeled them based on my best guess.

I would appreciate your kind thoughts.

Many thanks,
Brian

 

[KC Foggin]

Beautiful shots of this Red-tailed Hawk

 

[csanchez7]

Yes, all show a Red-tailed Hawk.

Carlos

 

[ospr3y]

I agree - Red-tailed. The belly bland clinches the ID. Pale iris and pale tail make it an immature bird.

 

[Brian Carter]

Thanks folks,
Actually, I wasn't clear. The three shots were taken of different birds at various times during the year. The photo on the left is the most recent, and taken this week. The middle photo appears to be of an older bird, and was taken two weeks ago, and the photo on the far right is about one year ago. The comment about the belly band is a real help as I have had a difficult time singling out definitive characteristics. We have quite a few Red Shoulder Hawks in this area, but I haven't seen hardly any Red Tail Hawks until just recently.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Brian Carter]

If I can impose for just one more opinion, here is a fellow that I shot about a year ago in the Florida Everglades along Loop Rd. There are distinct similarities to the Red Tailed Hawks but I feel that this one is a Coopers Hawk. Am I right? What characteristics should I be looking for?

Brian

 

[Sandhill Crane Lover]

Immature Cooper's Hawk. The tail looks long and skinny compared to a Red-Tailed Hawks'. Also, the streaking doesn't really form a band around the belly and extends up to the breast.

 

[KGS]

Post #6 shows a juv. Red-shouldered Hawk, not a Cooper's. An Accipiter has a more elongated build than this Buteo. Note barred remiges.

 

[Sandhill Crane Lover]

Now that you mentioned it, it does look a lot like a immature Red-Shouldered Hawk. I just noticed the iris is very dark, which I would not see on a Cooper's.

 

[The Falcon]

It's a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk.

 

[Microtus]

Post #6 shows a juv. Red-shouldered Hawk, not a Cooper's. An Accipiter has a more elongated build than this Buteo. Note barred remiges.

Agree.

 

[Birdbrain22]

Absolutely a juvie Red-shouldered Hawk .