South Florida - type of hawk/raptor? (1 Viewer)

Zackiedawg

Well-known member

• Feb 17, 2019

• #1

I am thrown off with this bird in flight - I can't quite link it perfectly to the typical birds I see in the area. Most common here would be osprey, red-shouldered hawk, then followed by cooper's hawk and sharp-shinned, the occasional red-tailed hawk, northern harrier, then the rest relatively rare. From a distance, the mostly white belly made me think it was an osprey coming, but then it had more brown than black, didn't have the osprey's typical black streak coming back off the eye, and had a yellowish bill with black tip. All of the more common hawks I see would have more of a pattern on the neck into the chest.

Any help confirming the ID much appreciated:
https://pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/168669554/original

 

B

birdmeister

Well-known member

• Feb 17, 2019

• #2

Looks like a Short-tailed Hawk to me. Nice!

 

Zackiedawg

Well-known member

• Feb 17, 2019

• #3

OK - looked that one up - I didn't even know about those. Looks like they are rare but occur in Florida, and the description and photos seem quite close - I think you got it. That would be a first for me if so!

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Feb 17, 2019

• #4

Agree with StHa - shape should be enough to make you think Buteo

Niels

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Feb 18, 2019

• #5

They're actually easier to see in the winter, but they're definitely regular in Florida.

 

C

ceasar

Well-known member

• Feb 18, 2019

• #6

There is a Dark Morph version also.

Bob

 

Zackiedawg

Well-known member

• Feb 18, 2019

• #7

Many thanks. Glad to know what it is, and nice to add a lifer to my list too. First one I've spotted, at least knowingly.