ML638500609

Observation details

Accidental ** LIFE BIRD**. Molting, ragged juvenile/immature. Initially IDd this bird as a dark juvenile/imm. Red-tailed Hawk. Primarily b/c Short-tailed Hawk was not on my radar at all as an actual possibility, so I focused on ruling out a Calurus western or Harlan's type Red-tailed - All of which would be unexpected -- Glad I took a lot of photos. Thanks to the eBird reviewer for reaching out to me and others for their input on this bird. With that said, an imm. Short-Tailed Hawk does seem to be the best choice. - Extremely clean white ovals in primaries. - Unbanded dorsal side of tail, lacking any paleness to rump. - Slightly flexed up wing tips. - Cannot really comment to size, other than much smaller than nearby Turkey Vultures it was flying with. Soaring over area along the Agarita Trail just before the split of the East Ridge Trail/Mid Canyon Trail. Always learning in birding!