[wisb] Keep an eye out for Swainson's Hawks
- From: "Peter A. Fissel" <pfissel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Wisconsin Birding Network <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:48:50 -0500
There are quite a few reports of Swainson's Hawks in Iowa recently.
They are frequently seen working the edges of prairie/grassland burns,
watching for rodents and insects flushed or exposed by the fire. If
you're in the southern or western part of the state on a nice day in
spring, check out those columns of smoke from prescribed burns. The
hawks will also work freshly-plowed fields, much as Ring-billed Gulls
do, presumably looking for grubs that have been turned up. We get a few
Swainson's in Wisconsin most years - look for a soaring buteo with a
noticeable dihedral, long, pointed wings and darker primaries and
secondaries than wing linings in most plumages. (But be careful -
immature Red-tailed Hawks can have wings that appear longer than
adults', I believe due to shorter secondaries.)
Peter Fissel
Ever hopeful in
Madison, WI
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- » [wisb] Keep an eye out for Swainson's Hawks - Peter A. Fissel
