19 replies to this topic

[Dilee3]

Seen today in Vermont. Can you tell from this picture what kind of bird this is?

[Peter T]

Can't tell, but it looks like some kind of hawk. Can anyone else help?

[psweet]

Based on the wing and tail shape, I'd guess Red-shouldered Hawk, but I would want to see it in person to say for sure.

[Dilee3]

I can add a short video if it would help. It was high up in the sky.

[psweet]

That actually might help, although I'm not making any promises.

[whatsinthesky]

I think the head looks like a bald eagle, but I'm pretty new at this so it's probably a hawk.

[Dilee3]

Here is the video.


http://www.kentfield...awkhartland.WMV

[meghann]

This one looks like a hawk to me, bill looks too small for an eagle.

[BarnSwallow]

Was that squeaky whistle at the end of the video the bird calling? If it was, I think that makes it a broad-winged.

[Dilee3]

Sorry, I meant to mention that. Yes, I included the sound at the end even though you couldn't see much because it was the bird calling.

[psweet]

I don't think I can ID this for sure -- the glide towards the end doesn't look right for Broadwing -- the wingtips extend too far back. But even that's a tough call. If this was the only look I got at the hawkwatch, I think it would get written down as Unknown Buteo.

[BarnSwallow]

psweet - did you hear the call at the end of the video? It sure sounds like a broad-winged!

[psweet]

Yes, I heard it -- the question is, can you hear enough to say it isn't part of a Red-tail or Red-shoulder? I simply can't say either way.

[Dilee3]

That was the only sound it made. There was no more to it like a red tail or red shouldered.

[JimBob]

I thought those "windows" in the wings were a field mark for Broad-wings. . .

[psweet]

Those windows are from missing primaries -- the bird is in the middle of molting.

[johnnybirder]

My first thought was Broad-winged Hawk because of the outer primaries being molted.

[psweet]

All hawks molt their primaries during the summer (and into fall migration).

[Clip]

My first thought based on the shape of the wings was Cooper's hawk. I looked it up and it does look like you get them in VT. I could be way off base but that is what hit me.

[BarnSwallow]

A Cooper's hawk has a much longer tail.