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dant1999 · Tuesday 31st July 2012, 06:21

I saw these birds in the Mojave Desert in Southern California last April. Are these both Swainson's hawks, both red-tailed hawks or one of each?

lou salomon · Tuesday 31st July 2012, 06:57

one of each: 1 swainson's, 2 red-tail. beside the very typical pattern in this adult swainson's note that it has 4 extended primaries ("fingers") only, while red-tail has 5.

Microtus · Tuesday 31st July 2012, 07:43

Both are Swainson's Hawks. #2 lacks a dark patagium that a Red-tail would have, and has white undertail coverts and long narrow wings typical of Swainson's.

JANJ · Tuesday 31st July 2012, 07:48

Both are adult like Swainson´s. Nr 1 pale morph and nr 2 dark/intermediate (?) morph.
In the second pic there´s five fingerts vivisble, which mainly depends on the angle in pic. Maybe p5 (counted from outside and in) looks a bit long, which with the spread of it contributes to the impression. However, everything else points to Swainson´s with the narrow hand.

JanJ

lou salomon · Tuesday 31st July 2012, 08:52

i already wondered about the lack of dark patagial. and bow to superior experience.

The Falcon · Tuesday 31st July 2012, 12:18

Agree, both are Swainson's.

Tuesday 31st July 2012, 06:21	#1
dant1999 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 149	Need help with buteo hawks - So. Cal. I saw these birds in the Mojave Desert in Southern California last April. Are these both Swainson's hawks, both red-tailed hawks or one of each? Attached Thumbnails

Tuesday 31st July 2012, 07:43	#3
Microtus Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Maryland USA Posts: 4,309	Both are Swainson's Hawks. #2 lacks a dark patagium that a Red-tail would have, and has white undertail coverts and long narrow wings typical of Swainson's. Last edited by Microtus : Tuesday 31st July 2012 at 08:00. Reason: One last little 3 am typo.

Tuesday 31st July 2012, 08:52	#5
lou salomon the birdonist Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stuttgart Posts: 8,775	i already wondered about the lack of dark patagial. and bow to superior experience. __________________ lou

Tuesday 31st July 2012, 12:18	#6
The Falcon Registered Birder Join Date: May 2007 Location: New York Posts: 4,963	Agree, both are Swainson's. __________________ ~ Josh L. ~ Report your sightings to eBird! 2013 Yard List: #126 Least Sandpiper \| 2013 Latest May Yard List: #103 Cliff Swallow
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Tuesday 31st July 2012, 06:57	#2
lou salomon the birdonist Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stuttgart Posts: 8,775	one of each: 1 swainson's, 2 red-tail. beside the very typical pattern in this adult swainson's note that it has 4 extended primaries ("fingers") only, while red-tail has 5. __________________ lou

Tuesday 31st July 2012, 07:48	#4
JANJ Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 7,786	Both are adult like Swainson´s. Nr 1 pale morph and nr 2 dark/intermediate (?) morph. In the second pic there´s five fingerts vivisble, which mainly depends on the angle in pic. Maybe p5 (counted from outside and in) looks a bit long, which with the spread of it contributes to the impression. However, everything else points to Swainson´s with the narrow hand. JanJ

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