Mystery Bird in the Beaches

[jart]

We were on the back deck in Toronto's  Beaches neighbourhood last Sunday and I was snapping photos of the particularly interesting cloud formations above us. Later I noticed that one of the frames had an image of a flying bird on it. The photo was taken at 7:21 PM on Sunday Sept. 6th.
It's hard to judge the size of the bird since I didn't actually see it as it flew over. I'm thinking maybe crow-size. The blowup (2nd image) shows a coloured patch which I took to be plumage but which my son says may be legs. Any ideas of what this bird might be?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14955511@N ... 7/sizes/o/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14955511@N ... 4/sizes/o/

[Iain]

My immediate impression was Blue Jay given the wing and tail shape and I'm fairly confident in that.  However it could be many things.  I have a feeling the 'colour patch' you're talking about in the blow-up is white rather than yellow and we're just seeing colour distortion.  Other options include Sharp-shinned Hawk or Grackle.  If I had to choose I'd say Blue Jay.  

Iain

[DrNik]

Hmmm, I'd have to say not a blue jay, since this thing is clearly all black/dark in colour. But the rounded wings do suggest some sort of forest dweller. Maybe an escaped exotic?

[thouc]

I agree with Blue Jay. When I first saw the picture I really didn't have a clue, but the other day I saw a Blue Jay flying above and it looked exactly like that. Against the blue sky it looks dark.

/Thomas

[David Shilman]

Ivory-billed Woodpecker?

 :shock: