Red Tail on the porch

gluwater

This is from 2 weeks ago but I thought i'd post it anyways. I was sitting watching TV when my roomate yelled "Nick, come quick and bring your camera." So I did and sitting on the porch was a juvenile Red Tail Hawk. I think it is a juvenile because it looked too small to be a mature RTH. This was standing about 20 feet away. Hope ya like.

click for exif

gus

Very nice Gluwater. Looks a lot like a falcon..is it ?

gus

Humungus wrote:

Very nice Gluwater. Looks a lot like a falcon..is it ?

Dont answer that....just re-read your post..Hawk.

Thusie

Great shot!

My bet on the bird is a juvie Coopers hawk, eye color, makings and long tail. Yellow eyes means it's is a first year bird, adult size tho'.

bfjr

Good one Nick. Always keep that camera ready
Pretty sure it's a Coopers.

Keep an eye out he/she might be back!!

Rohirrim

Very nice shot Nick.

Harryb

Excellent Nick. Its nice when the birds come to you.

gluwater

Thanks for the input guys. I'll have to do a little research and check on what this really is. Anyone have any suggestions on good bird books?

Rohirrim

gluwater wrote:

Thanks for the input guys. I'll have to do a little research and check on what this really is. Anyone have any suggestions on good bird books?

National Geographic Field Guide To The Birds Of North America, 4th Edition (Paperback) is a popular guide. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0792268776/ref=pd_bxgy_text_1/002-7095333-6575266?v=glance&s=books&n=507846&st=*)

I have the Smithsonian Birds of North America (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0789471574/qid=1128381900/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/002-7095333-6575266?v=glance&s=books) and really like it.

Another choice that has excellent details on each bird species, but not that great for ID'ing. You kinda have to know what your looking at first is http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/BNA/


Regards,

jwear

a cooper and a young red tail look somewhat alike but the size and the stripes on the tail ,I am with Ben on coopers hawk or Broad-winged Hawk and i can not tell the dif. between the two .I will post a pic of what was id as a young redtail oh and a very good shot by the by

gluwater

Thanks for the input on books Rohirrim. I'll have to check those out, the book I have right now is really lacking and it's hard to identify stuff like this.

gluwater

Please do post a pic of a juvenile Red Wing Jeff, it may make it easier for me to tell the difference. But I have been swayed to think it is a juvenile Coopers Hawk. I agree that the long tail and also the white tip of the tail leads to a Coopers. Here is a pic I got of it flying off. It is an awful pic but gives you a glimpse of it from the back along with a view of the whole tail spread out.

gluwater

bfjr wrote:

Good one Nick. Always keep that camera ready
Pretty sure it's a Coopers.

Keep an eye out he/she might be back!!

Thanks Ben. I have seen it before, but only from a distance. I think it lives in the area because I have seen it multiple times by my house but usually only for a second before it is gone. I'll have to keep my eye out for it.

Thusie

From your going away shot, its a Coopers. Got lots of pigeons and doves in the area? Favorite food there. Neat birds.

The Sibley Guide to Birds is pretty good.