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Can you ID a Red-shouldered Hawk if you don't see it? (1 Viewer)

alaskabirder

Jared Conaway
During a 7 hour layover in Portland, OR, I went to a place called Holliday Park. I heard what sounding like a gull, but after consulting the local Audubon website, I found that Red-shouldered Hawk matched what I heard!

Unfortunately I never saw the bird, so how do I know if it's really a Red-shouldered Hawk and not another Steller's Jay? Are Steller's Jays quieter? The bird I heard made a sound that carried and echoed as it called from a very large oak. Red-shouldered Hawk would be a lifer for me!
 
That's hard to say because Jays are great mimickers of RS Hawks. They do it all the time here.

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Most people err on the side of caution when it comes to identifying birds they haven't seen/recorded if they are at all unsure of the id.

Many people don't count 'heard only' birds as life birds.

In short, wait until you definitely encounter one and enjoy it properly, imo. If you hear it too you can always upgrade this earlier encounter if totally sure (but not much point in some ways).



And welcome to BF!
 
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