Mystery Bird photographed at Smith Point Hawk Watch, Texas (by Joseph Kennedy)
I am not the type to correct people on the internet or play "bird police", but a few people have asked me to clarify the ID of the bird on this post (below). I refrained, but someome asked me just recently, so I decided to simply post the link and have others chime in. But, I will certainly respond if asked...and will confirm the ID. If the bird was identified correctly, I wouldn't bother posting, so one big hint is that the bird in the link is not a Swainson's Hawk as it was identified by the respondents and the quizzer. (Also posted on www.jerryliguori.com)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/punctuated-equilibrium/2010/sep/13/daily-mystery-bird-identify
Labels: id challenge, raptors
5 Comments:
I've seen only one Broad-winged Hawk in my life, but is this a juvenile?
Adult Broad-winged.
Looking at Stokes Guide, is does sort of look like a Broad-winged Hawk, but also a Goshawk. But I am only guessing. If it was photographed in Utah, the Broad-Winged would be rare, I think.
Just to clarify, the phot was taken in Texas.
Yes, a Juvenile Broad-winged Hawk, has a dark tail tip, streaked underbody. The wings appear to have a dark trailing edge which is tricky, but some juvs show this and it is less defined than on adults, But the tail pattern, body plumage, and head pattern are juvenile. Eye is pale, which is helpful but birds in their first year of adulthood often have somewhat pale eyes, so not a useful trait alone on this bird.
Of course not a Swainson's though, and while there are many incorrect ID's on line, I'm actually surprised this one was misidentified since it lacks dark flight feathers, a key Swainson's trait. But if experience is lacking with either Swainson's Hawk or Broad-winged Hawk, it is an easy mistake to make. I love that Jeff got it right having only seen one in his life!
thanks for viewing,
Jerry
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