I believe this is a Harlan’s Hawk, due to its coloration. Some experts consider this to be a sub-species of the Red-tailed Hawk, others think it is a separate species. First described by John James Audubon in 1829. He referred to it as Falco Harlani (after R. Harlan, a physician and naturalist).
Chickenhawk…
December 28, 2011
Animals, Birds hawk, photography, red tailed Leave a comment
I posted about the Red-tailed hawk a while back. This one likes to take up watch on this sign post not 10 feet from a busy highway. It will stay there for long periods of time with traffic whizzing by, but if you stop within 50 feet it will take off. I had to park in a lot across the street and shoot between the passing trucks to have it sit still long enough. These hawks are legally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)…
November 18, 2011
Animals, Birds hawk, photography, red tailed Leave a comment