Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: momahony on January 05, 2015, 06:37:31 AM

Title: Help to ID Raptor?
Post by: momahony on January 05, 2015, 06:37:31 AM

Hi
I was out on 2 Jan hoping to see the yellow-headed blackbird in Haldimand.  No such luck.
As I was driving south on  about 1-2 concessions south of #3, I saw this white bird in the field. At first, I was thinking it was a snowy, but once I stopped and used my binos I realized it was a raptor.  OK, some day I'll be decent with these - but that day is not now.

I'm guessing this would be either a Northern Harrier or Swainson's Hawk?
Size was about that of a Red-Tailed Hawk.

Is the 1st picture (0221) of a Red-tailed Hawk?  I wasn't sure because I didn't think they showed so much banding on their tails.

Thanks a lot
Meg

Title: Re: Help to ID Raptor?
Post by: thouc on January 05, 2015, 07:55:08 AM

The first one is a juv. Red-tailed Hawk. The juveniles have bandning on the tail.

The second looks like a male Northern Harrier from the colouration.

/Thomas