Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: MEGHAN on April 19, 2010, 04:48:02 PM

Title: Both RTH?
Post by: MEGHAN on April 19, 2010, 04:48:02 PM

Hey Folks,

I was just wondering if both of these birds are Red Tail Hawks.
I spotted  4 birds flying around each other. I only had a 200mm lense so I could not get off any closer shots, but I think for ID purposes these 3 photos should do.
Thanks in advance
Meghan

(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_0957.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_0956.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_0939.jpg)

Title:
Post by: Luv2Bird on April 19, 2010, 04:53:07 PM

The breast band would make one think it's a RTH and the other might be a younger one or diff. sex.

Title:
Post by: raypye on April 19, 2010, 06:29:07 PM

Red-tailed Hawks are extremely variable. The brest band may be very dark, light, or absent.
The best 2 field marks to use are the patagial mark (the black feathers on the leading edge of the wing) and the comma (black feathers that are in the shape of a comma).
Rayfield Pye