Hawk at Hagerman Wildlife RefugeNorth Central Texas (1 Viewer)

[Scrogdog]

Have a photographer friend who took this photo at the Hagerman Wildlife Refuge in North Central Texas. He thought it was a Red-tailed Hawk when he saw it perched, but says it didn't have the red tail he was expecting when it flew. Wondering if it might be a Swainson. Suggestions welcome.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Okay for an immature Red-tailed Hawk, I'd say.

 

[fugl]

Agree, young Red-tailed.

 

[ceasar]

Agree. Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk. Plate 405 in Wheeler's Raptors of Western North America shows a similarly marked juvenile "Western" (B.j.calurus) intermediate (rufous) morph.

 

[Scrogdog]

That is what I thought, but would have liked to have seen tail feathers in more detail before giving friend my opinion. Thanks to all who responded.