ML622446412

Observation details

This Short-tailed Hawk appears to be an immature light morph. It was streaky brown on either side of the the head, not solid brown like an adult, with a buffy white body. We first observed it almost hanging still in the air while we were at the edge of the lake. It eventually circled and flew off vocalizing when the Red-tailed Hawks flew over. We had walked across the lake boardwalk back into the shade, when we looked back and saw the Short-tailed Hawk land on the railing with a small Cypress branch. It then stretched its wings and looked like it fell, branch and all, onto the boardwalk. It looked around and took off with the branch to perch on a nearby Cypress tree at the lake's edge. It moved upwards to a couple of different branches, then flew out over the trees again. What an interesting encounter. Photos.