Short-tailed Hawk - Tim Hardin
Report

Contributor

Date

Location

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Cones Dike Trail
Alachua, Florida, United States
Media from this location Illustrated Checklist
Map
Map Coordinates: 29.5792795, -82.2788429
Age
Not specified
Sex
Not specified

Observation details

Rare summer resident species. My FoY. I spotted an all-dark smallish hawk kiting and soaring above the southeastern edge of Paynes Prairie during FOS field trip led by Rex Rowan. Dark morph with (conspicuously) dark tail, dark underwings with pale ovals in primates, and overall dark appearance. Seen by Jose-Miguel, Eric Amundson, and myself. RSHA eliminated as ID by lack of pale crescents in outer primaries. RTHA eliminated by smaller structure and significantly darker coloration of this hawk, as well as smaller size established by comparison to multiple other nearby raptors—including 2 STKIs, 3 BAEAs, and several TUVUs and BLVUs. I extensively observed and filmed/photographed the typical upswept wingtips associated with STHAs. Quite agile and acrobatic in the air—it went into a few short stoops and tight loops a few times and appeared to possibly have a prey item with it. Eventually I noticed a second STHA come in and soar with the first STHA.

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