[wisb] "Swainson's" Hawk -- a cautionary note

From: "Tom Schultz" <trschultz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "WISBIRDN" <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:42:02 -0500
On Sunday I sent out a post about a bird I had seen and identified as a 
Swainson's Hawk on the way home from Superior (in Adams County).  The bird 
appeared to be in less than perfect plumage, but I assumed that was likely 
because the bird may have been molting from immature into adult plumage.  I 
took a quick look at the bird with my binoculars, and then grabbed my camera 
to try to quickly get some shots.  Unfortunately, the bird took off after 
just a few photos were taken, when a semi truck came by.   Based on my brief 
views, however, I felt that I had seen a Swainson's Hawk -- based on the 
relatively plain grayish-brown upperparts, the rusty bib, and the whitish 
face.

When I downloaded my photos at home, however, I saw that I had a photo of 
the bird taking off from the top of the pole -- and I was confused.  This 
image appeared to show that this bird had the wing and undertail markings of 
a Red-tailed Hawk (dark patagial patch on the front edge of the wing, and 
reddish tints on some of the tail feathers, which also seemed to have no 
barring, as one might have expected)!

The photos I took of this bird can be seen here, and perhaps you will 
understand why I initially took it to be a Swainson's Hawk:
http://www.pbase.com/trschultz/image/117658030

http://www.pbase.com/trschultz/image/117658050

http://www.pbase.com/trschultz/image/117658066

I sent these images to a few friends for their comments, and they all agreed 
that the bird was a Red-tailed Hawk -- especially because of the shot of the 
spread wings and tail.  One person commented,

"Yes, the bird lacked white markings on the coverts and scapulars, which 
almost makes it look like the Florida race, umbrinus, which is quite dark on 
the same areas as your bird.  Which, also made it look very Swainson's 
Hawk-like.  This no doubt would be a tough call with not having great 
looks."

In hindsight, I feel that if I had taken more time to study this bird when I 
saw it (especially with a spotting scope on a window mount) I probably would 
have arrived at the correct identification -- for I can see now that the 
perched bird appears to have a hint of red on the tail.  What seems to be a 
rusty breast band from that angle also appears to be broken in the center 
with white.  But it all happened very quickly, and I was too much in a hurry 
to get attempt to get some photos of this interesting-looking bird -- and 
then, unfortunately, it didn't stick around very long for additional looks!

So, the lesson learned is this -- always use caution, and take as much time 
as possible when making bird observations, and rule out the most likely 
possibilities first!!

Tom Schultz
Green Lake Co. 

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[wisb] "Swainson's" Hawk -- a cautionary note

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