Hawk ID
Nov 18, 2021 10:06:52 #
I took these photos of a distant circling hawk last month just south of Boulder using an Olympus 300mm+MC-14 teleconverter. Not the best set of photos but I was trying out the lens on birds for the first time. Any idea on the hawk?
Nov 18, 2021 13:06:30 #
Excellent shots - Looks like a red tail to me because of the belly band and the saying that says, 'all large hawks are red tails until proven otherwise.' 
Nov 18, 2021 16:11:51 #
hpucker99 wrote:
I took these photos of a distant circling hawk last month just south of Boulder using an Olympus 300mm+MC-14 teleconverter. Not the best set of photos but I was trying out the lens on birds for the first time. Any idea on the hawk?
Beautifully shot 💙💙💙💙🧡
Nov 18, 2021 17:03:42 #
Strodav
Loc: Houston, Tx
Might be a Red Tailed hawk, which live all through North America. The markings are consistent with a Red Tail, but their undersides in your images are whiter than the Red Tails here in Tx.
Nov 18, 2021 19:49:45 #
joecichjr wrote:
Beautifully shot 💙💙💙💙🧡
Thanks for the comment. The hawk was circling about 100 (?) yards away accompanied by a pair of ravens. Took about 100 shots, these were the best. About the time I thought of getting closer, it flew off.
I was going through my bird books and photos online and thought the red-tailed hawk looked to be the best match, although that hawk has a range of colors.
Once again, thanks.
Nov 19, 2021 06:31:46 #
You can download a free App, Merlin. It will allow you to use your phone to take a picture of your pic and it will ID the bird. Very accurate. Gary https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
Nov 19, 2021 08:37:49 #
Yes, a Red-tailed hawk. As mentioned, the belly band. Also the dark band on the leading edge of the wings (patagial stripe) is key. The bars across the tail are probably an indication that it is a juvenile. Darker head and dark wing tips are supportive of the ID.
Nice photos!
Mike
Nice photos!
Mike
Nov 19, 2021 08:46:25 #
Tis a first year Red-tailed hawk. These young birds have banded tails which will gain the reddish Color as they age. Note the bellyband and also the dark patagials (front part of the wing next to body) which are clear indications of it being a Red-tailed. This bird is the most familiar raptor in North America. He is often seen perched on poles along the roadside. Well done pics considering the distance.
LittleRed (Ron)
LittleRed (Ron)
Nov 20, 2021 18:04:57 #
Dec 22, 2021 21:35:39 #
hettmoe wrote:
Very nice!
Also, the bulging secondaries; dark head, light breast, and dark belly (dark, light, dark) make the ID of RTHA
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