Hawk on pacific coast mexico (1 Viewer)

Steve.Jonesy

Well-known member

• Nov 19, 2018

• #1

Hi
Can anyone help me to identify this bird
Taken in the Sierra Madre near Porta Valletta Mexico
Many thanks

 

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Chris Benesh

So much work, so little time...so let's go birding

• Nov 19, 2018

• #2

This looks good for a duller example of a juvenile Gray Hawk. Darker examples have buff instead of white cheeks and eyebrows. Structure, large bill with dark feathering on forehead rule out a similarly patterned Broad-winged Hawk.

A similar example: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/6...79.889549233.1542414897-1908399866.1538285703

Chris

 

C

ceasar

Well-known member

• Nov 19, 2018

• #3

Agree with Chris,

It looks very much like the juvenile Gray Hawk pictured at Plates 225 and 226 in Wheelers "RAPTORS Of Western North America." A note at the bottom of the pictures states that the pictures were taken in Nayarit, Mexico.

Bob

 

Last edited: Nov 19, 2018

Steve.Jonesy

Well-known member

• Nov 19, 2018

• #4

Thanks you guys really loving the birding in Puerto Vallarta

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Nov 20, 2018

• #5

One dissenting voice: doesn't this raptor have a very long tail for a buteo?

Niels

 

Steve.Jonesy

Well-known member

• Nov 20, 2018

• #6

So what else do you think it could maybe be?

 

jmorlan

Hmmm. That's funny

Opus Editor

• Nov 20, 2018

• #7

It has a rather Accipiter-like shape, but it doesn't seem to fit any Accipiters that might occur in the area. Gray Hawk juveniles are much longer tailed than adults. The narrow white band on the uppertail coverts is probably diagnostic for juv. Gray Hawk. Also the tail banding with the dark bars becoming progressively narrower towards the base is good for Gray Hawk. Head pattern and the rest of the plumage seems to fit. I cannot think of anything else it might be. Compare my photos of juv. Gray Hawk in California.

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Nov 20, 2018

• #8

I will join the crowd in saying Gray Hawk. It is good to see another example of this species showing such long a tail, something I could not remember from my own encounters with it.

Niels

 

Steve.Jonesy

Well-known member

• Nov 21, 2018

• #9

You guys are amazing!
Thanks