[texbirds] Re: Hawk photo ID
- From: Monte <monte.phillips@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Arman Moreno <armanmoreno@xxxxxxxxx>, texbirds <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2014 10:37:43 -0600
Firstly that I mis-typed in RTH for RSHA is of no matter other than
introducing some confusion. Set that aside. Many times, in fact always
I mention my 'newness' to bird ID'ing. BUT I had closely observed TWO
Cooper's and 1 Sharp-shinned over the past 2 months, the Cooper's at
leat 3 times a week used our bird buffet as just that, reducing the
dove, jay population noticeably. Always perched within 50-75' of my
viewing spot, so Adult Cooper's and Sharpies I am pretty familiar with,
also as you noted Red-shouldered is common here, and these are seen and
watched at least once a week. As for my references they are 'Petersons
Hawk's of No America', and Pete Dunne's 'Essential Field Guide
Companion' and a couple more generic ones like the 'Nat'l Geo Complete
Birds of Of North America'.
I am still learning. One thing though that a local ornithologist has
drummed into me is not to ID a bird by pictures alone. Having said all
that the ONE thing that does have huge weight to the argument that this
may indeed be a immature RSHA (and I completely missed it) is the eye
color...a beginners rank oversight.
I do appreciate all the feedback though because without it the learning
curve would be a lot steeper.
thanks
On 2/17/2014 9:35 AM, Arman Moreno wrote:
> Sorry to disappoint Monte but this is absolutely a Buteo and not
> Accipiter. I agree with Dave Fallow's ID of Red-shouldered Hawk (not
> Red-tailed as you reference above :-). RSHA behave similar to many
> accipiters in terms of hunting techniques but will spend a bit of time
> riding thermals up to soar. What helps me on on ID like this is body
> shape: this bird is quite chunky and fits more of a buteo shape than a
> much narrower and streamlined accipiter like Sharp-shinned or Cooper's.
>
> Also take a look at eye color. The eye is brown on your bird. A
> juvenile accipiter would have a yellow eye turning to a reddish-orange
> coloration at adulthood. Juvenile RSHA generally have yellow eyes
> turning to dark brown by adulthood. The fact that this bird has dark
> eyes alone would immediately rule out COHA for me. Study the bill
> shape and structure of this bird and compare to accipiter.
>
> The streaking on the breast is actually a little odd for RSHA. I've
> seen juveniles that are much more blotched and streaked on the breast
> and belly bu this bird appears to be retaining adult features so maybe
> this is a transitional plumage. In fact, take a very close look at the
> belly and you'll see the reddish barring starting to come in. There
> are many other points that would define this bird as RSHA but I'm only
> listing those features immediately evident on your photo.
>
> Best,
> Arman
>
>
> On Mon, Feb 17, 2014 at 8:50 AM, Monte <monte.phillips@xxxxxxxxx
> <mailto:monte.phillips@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
>
> Dave
> > Had I not been up really close to it, as well as observed it in
> flight
> > I would agree. But it is noticeably smaller than a Red-tailed. And
> > preferred to dodge branches in the trees rather than gaining the
> > 'clear blue'. Peterson's 'Hawks of No America' mention the outer two
> > tail feathers as being litghter on the outside edge and bottom,
> giving
> > a ladder look to it in flight...this was noticeable on this
> bird. You
> > can make out that lighter outer stripe on the shorter outside tail
> > feathers. So although that streaking on the breast and bowling pin
> > shpae gave me fits, the majority of the indicaters said juvinile
> > Cooper's probably a female. As I am a really rank novice this
> is by
> > no means a definitive ID except for me....at the moment.
> >
>
> >
> > On 2/17/2014 8:26 AM, Dave Fallow wrote:
> >> Monte,
> >> I looked at your two photos of what was labeled a Cooper's
> Hawk.
> >> Might it be an immature Red-shouldered Hawk? Regards,
> >> Dave Fallow
> >> Madison, WI
> >
> >
> > --
> > Monte
> > The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other
> 364 days of the year.
> > Mark Twain
>
>
> --
> Monte
> Martyrdom covers a multitude of sins.
> Mark Twain
>
>
>
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--
Monte
Substitute "damn" every time you're inclined to write "very"; your editor will
delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.
Mark Twain
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