That’s a nice Swainson’s Hawk for your Multnomah County list, Eric. Nice find.
Notice the dark flight feathers and light coverts, that’s a good field mark
for Swainson’s.
Tom Crabtree, Bend
From: obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of ;
Eric Carlson
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2017 9:15 AM
To: OBOL Oregon Birders Online
Subject: [obol] Mystery Hawk seen soaring high above NE Portland
I was out bird watching today at the base of Rocky Butte and remembered that I
should look up every once in a while, 'cause that's where the birds are.
Lucky me, I found one, but I'm not sure what it is.
(link below and photo attached)
https://ericarlson.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/20170418-_t9a9477.jpg?w=238
Coloration on body looks right for a Northern Harrier, but wings don't quite
look right and its tail appears too short
Body shape looks right for Swainson's, but it isn't a color morph my Sibley's
guide has, and this is not a bird I have seen more than a handful of times.
I'm stumped, and I would really appreciate another opinion (or several).
Migration is here!
ERIC
