The Hawk Guessing Game

dniednie Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 1,351 Major grins
edited April 9, 2009 in Wildlife
ok, since it seems there is always a discussion about what kind of hawk it is... anybody want to guess on this one? I already guessed and had it confirmed by my local bird experrts (they amaze me). anyone care to take a shot at this one before I tell what it is? and yes, all the pictures are the same bird and yes, that darn auto focus messed me up again.

507753642_4o2P6-L.jpg
507753658_9hJvC-L.jpg
507753700_uGWkp-L.jpg

It was really pretty cool. This Hawk sat there and looked at me and didn't take off like every other one I see. I was told that is one of it's traits. It isn't as skidish as most hawks are. I had never heard of it or seen one. (that I know of)
on your mark, get set, grab the field guides!:D
Donna

My SmugMug

Comments

  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited April 8, 2009
    How about Short-tailed Hawk!
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • CAPTURED2HCAPTURED2H Registered Users Posts: 142 Major grins
    edited April 8, 2009
    I think Glen is on to something but just to take another shot at it a white tail headscratch.gif
  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited April 8, 2009
    CAPTURED2H wrote:
    I think Glen is on to something but just to take another shot at it a white tail headscratch.gif

    My other guess would be Swainsons Hawk.

    I was in Florida a couple weeks back, and almost had an opportunity to see a Short-tailed hawk.
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited April 8, 2009
    raptorcaptor wrote:
    My other guess would be Swainsons Hawk.

    I was in Florida a couple weeks back, and almost had an opportunity to see a Short-tailed hawk.

    Hey I was gonna say that !! ............. No Honest rolleyes1.gif
    Benjamin
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  • dniednie Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 1,351 Major grins
    edited April 9, 2009
    Yep, it is a Swainson's Hawk. I had never seen one and his coloring really threw me off. I was able to ID it simply because I got shots in while he was in flight. That was the clicher, but I my bird expert said...
    "Definitely Swainson's hawk. In flight the reversed color scheme (dark trailing edge and light leading edge) is distinctive. Equally distinctive on a perched bird is the evenly toned, smoky gray of the head and uppersides with the prominent yellow-white ceres (fleshy parts at base of bill). The only thing you missed in these photos is the pale chin with dark band separating it from the white of the breast."
    Donna

    My SmugMug
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