Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: killdozer on May 02, 2008, 10:52:32 AM

Title: RFI: Western Canada Rufous Bird of Prey
Post by: killdozer on May 02, 2008, 10:52:32 AM

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2254/2457106901_10819ddabd_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartimmonen/2457106901)

On a city street near the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in Calgary, I spotted this handsome raptor, but found the field marks and wing length confusing.

Sadly, I did not get a good look at the back, so any tail colouration and shoulder markings are a mystery.

Thanks in advance.

stuart

Title:
Post by: Julie on May 02, 2008, 11:52:35 AM

The hooded look feels like Swainson's hawk to me-- a common Prairie bird but pretty much unknown in the East and in most of BC.  Hard to tell the size from your pic, but it looks like a buteo. It would have been about the size of a redtail, but far more approachable-- any time I've been in SK and MB I've been amazed at how close even an adult Swainson's will let me get.

Julie

Title: Swainson's Hawk - Dark Juvenile
Post by: Anonymous on May 02, 2008, 03:32:38 PM

After consulting the Sibley's guide, I'd have to agree with Julie.  When you mentioned you were confused by the wing length I think is what gave it away - Swainson's have a WS of about 50" in length but their bodies are comparatively shorter at only 19".  The two-tone colour in the beak and the fact that it's wings slightly exceed its tail length are hints as well.

Cheers, Attila

Title:
Post by: Kin Lau on May 02, 2008, 03:37:15 PM

Can't help with the ID, but that's a really nice sharp shot. I hope we'll get Swainsons like that on our trip this summer.

Title:
Post by: killdozer on May 04, 2008, 10:08:58 AM

Thanks for weighing in, everyone! The colour morphs are so variable, it's a tough call for a neophyte birder.

Good Luck, Kin Lau-- I found the west to be full of life birds.

stuart