ML160228671

Age and sex

Immature Unknown sex - X

Observation details

**RARE** The wind was pretty stiff out of the East, around 20 knots. Resulting flight style of this bird was fairly loose—the bird was trying to hold ground but was getting pushed around a little bit. It was almost weak in flight and the bird did not appear to be holding position very well and was not very stiff. The wings were not as narrow as Norther Harrier; the rump patch was very narrow and right at the base of the tail, which is different from the more extensive white rump patch expected of a Northern Harrier. The wings were narrower and longer as compared to Red-tailed Hawk. Given the conditions, a red-tail would have held ground better in that wind. The pattern and flight characteristics were inconsistent with those of Rough-legged Hawk. The belly on this bird definitely lacked any kind of dark markings. Also, there was no significant amount of dark at the base of the primaries or distal underwing coverts (wrist area) typical of rough-legged. While in flight that "low", they will invariably hold position strongly, even in stiff wind, and kite while fluttering their wings rapidly. Also, the more similar light-phase typically has a very dark or relatively and noticeable darker terminal tail band with very light inner tail feathers on both top and bottom. Initially, the tail seemed long for a buteo, so I thought harrier. Then, everything kept pointing back to buteo. Though, the tail was not such that it gave an impression of being an accipiter. The wings were wrong for accipiter and the tail just wasn't holding correctly for accipiter. The tail seemed to spread out a little and was never really held together as one might expect for either harrier or accipiter, in this situation. As far as gestalt of the tail, I'd say it was most closely reminiscent of Red-shouldered Hawk...the way it was kind of long for the body and had sharply defined edges. Though, I'd rule out Red-shouldered adult because of the non-checkered look to the underwings, the lacking pale "comma" through the primaries, and the lacking dark bands on the tail; immature, because of the lacking dark streaking from the head down the breast, that lacking "comma", and the lacking noticeable bands on the tail. The tail just looked relatively dark and lacking any obvious bands anywhere. The overall impression of the coloration or tonal comparison between the body/underwing coverts/axillaries and the underside of the flight feathers (primaries/secondaries) was that of a light and buffy-colored body/underwing coverts/axillaries and dark flight feathers. The primaries were darkest, but the secondaries were also relatively dark, but not black and white, like what might be seen on a nice adult Swainson's. The upperwing and body surface was entirely dark brown, except for darker, perhaps black, primaries and a slightly lighter band or bar along the lesser coverts. There was a dark "hood" that was made up of lots of very heavy streaking, such that the sides of this "hood" came from the face down as dark streaking to the start of the shoulders and wrapping around underneath. I believe, there was no streaking on the actual chin. The view of the bird was always a side view from underneath or view from directly below but away from the rear of the bird. It never circled but was just drifting from the NE to the SW just East of the power lines. Eventually it disappeared out of view beyond a building in the foreground, to the SW of us. The only other thing I'm not certain about is the tiny dark "comma" at the distal portion of the underwing coverts; I think I saw these (one on the underside of each wing), but my memory may have been poisoned in reference to this by looking at books and pictures. With all of this said, everything seems to point toward immature Swainson's Hawk.

Technical information

Dimensions

1522 pixels x 1012 pixels

Original file size

45.02 KB