ML627768717

Ажиглалтын дэлгэрэнгүй

Aberrant Red-tailed Hawk. Probable Krider's subspecies/group. First observed hovering high over the marsh. The hovering behavior was similar to the foraging behaviors of Northern Harriers - though it appeared slightly higher than typical NOHA hovering height. It landed in a tall pine tree giving us extended looks at the head, chest and tail from a long distance. It lifted off from the pine tree exposing discernable markings allowing us to ID as a RTHA and observe other features to analyze as a potential Krider's. Bird was later observed perched lower in the marsh on Skull Creek providing closer and better views. Head was all white with faint, to no malar stripe present, and faint brown band on the neck. Upper wings were notably mottled with bold, white, wing-panels. Faint, thin patagial bars and no belly band. A third, to half of the basal portion of the tail was plain white. The outer half of the tail had thin bands that were visible above and below, and a faint reddish wash to the upper side. It appears to fit the criteria for a juvenile/hatch-year Krider's. From the field marks it is unclear if this bird is a potential hybrid. Birding article by Liguori & Sullivan in 2010 was the primary source used to classify this bird to Kriders subspecies.