ML145915471
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age and sex
- Adult Female - X
- Sounds
- Call
- Playback
- Playback not used
Observation details
Long-tenured individual (2005, I believe). Very shortly after arriving the bird was calling, along with two RSHAs, to the north of the winery parking lot. I then saw the bird circling and calling with RSHAs around eucalyptus trees to the NE of parking lot. The bird was seen and heard well, but quickly floated down low and out of sight to the east. The two RSHAs flew south and I lost the COBH. Later on, when RSHA started sounding off I heard the bird calling again to the NE of parking lot and soon thereafter three RSHA, a male NOHA, multiple TUVUs and the COBH were all circling right above the parking lot and trees to the north, providing great views and photos as well as audio. The bird eventually moved quickly out of sight to the north, following a single RSHA. Large, dark, broad-winged northernmost breeding member of genus Buteogallus (of which this bird is clearly outside of its expected range and has been for many years). Bird was easy to pick out as it has a thick white median band on the tail and dark, broad wings with inner primaries and secondaries brown/gray when viewing ventrally. Other noticeable features to wings were the light "commas" at the base of primaries and dark tips. Broad, often fanned tail. Yellow/orange base, gape and cere, with dark tip to bill. Yellow legs with silver band on left leg seen in some of the photos. In flight, no dihedral and slow, steady wingbeats. Bird called often, giving diagnostic rising and falling “kle-kle-KLE-KLE-KLE-kle-kle” calls while in flight. Bird was interacting heavily with RSHA and at one point appeared to possibly pass food with RSHA, but this occurred low behind trees so I am not totally positive. Regardless, the bird and RSHA were circling and came close to locking talons midair a few different times. According to past reports of individuals who have watched this bird breed and raise young, this is an adult female.
Technical information
- Recorder
- iPhone XS
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 1.42 MB