Another Raptor. Boise, Idaho, USA (1 Viewer)

[jnicholes]

First, I just want to say that I think these photos are awesome. Best photos I ever took. Its staring into my soul in one of the photos. HAHAHA!

Second, I cant really tell what it is from this angle. Any ideas?

 

[fugl]

Prairie Falcon

 

[THE_FERN]

Prairie Falcon

? but it's a Buteo...

 

[fugl]

? but it's a Buteo...

Really? Care to hazard a guess which one?

 

[Andy Adcock]

Really? Care to hazard a guess which one?

I was surprised with your ID as PF, it will be R-s, Swainson's or R-t Hawk won't it?

 

[Microtus]

I'm thinking Prairie Falcon also (assuming that it's not an escape). It has a white area behind the eye, a 'moustache' coming down from the eye, a (bit of) a white stripe over the eye, and a medium-brown back.

 

[THE_FERN]

Really? Care to hazard a guess which one?

Urgg since you insist... Swainson's: white face pattern, short tail (shorter than wings), for example. I'm certain this is no falcon as the wings are super-broad, the face pattern's wrong (no moustachial streak, pattern of white), wings longer than tail etc.

 

[THE_FERN]

I'm thinking Prairie Falcon also (assuming that it's not an escape). It has a white area behind the eye, a 'moustache' coming down from the eye, a (bit of) a white stripe over the eye, and a medium-brown back.

Here, either the bird's feathers are bleached or the pic over-exposed. This says there's no moustachial streak: the "hood" behind the white next to the bill is solid. I'm sure any streak you're seeing is an artefact.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Agree with Swainson's Hawk, presumably an immature. I can't see this bird as a falcon at all.

 

[Microtus]

Here, either the bird's feathers are bleached or the pic over-exposed. This says there's no moustachial streak: the "hood" behind the white next to the bill is solid. I'm sure any streak you're seeing is an artefact.

Noted.

Agree with Swainson's Hawk, presumably an immature. I can't see this bird as a falcon at all.

It does appear to have a short tail. So maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Noted.



It does appear to have a short tail. So maybe I'm wrong.

You'd also be able to see the tomial tooth in these shots if it were a Falcon.

 

[jnicholes]

Wow, I didn't expect this many posts.

I've got plenty of other pictures, do you guys need another picture to help conclude it?

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Wow, I didn't expect this many posts.

I've got plenty of other pictures, do you guys need another picture to help conclude it?

It would be useful, particularly anything showing the underparts more clearly.

 

[Sangahyando]

Agree with Swainson's Hawk, presumably an immature. I can't see this bird as a falcon at all.

Yeah, something about the head just says "buzzard" to me (I even briefly thought of a CB before remembering the thread title...). Also, the iris is brown, not black. Though I'm not very familiar with any of the species suggested so far.

 

[jnicholes]

More photos. One from the back and one from the side. I couldnt get a photo from the front otherwise I would be trespassing on private property.

The one from the side was accidentally taken with a 1/2000 shutter setting, the rest were 1/80. I see a white bottom. The beak has some yellow and curves down.

I honestly thought it was a falcon because the wings are pointed. I could be wrong, and it wouldnt be the first time.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It seems like a pretty clear immature Swainson's Hawk to me. The picture from the rear gives a better sense of the wing length. They have quite long, pointed wings for a Buteo.

 

[jnicholes]

I think just solved it by going through my bird photos comparing.

Here is a photo I took of a Juvenile Swainsons Hawk. Here is also a photo of this bird.







I think it is a Juvenile Swainsons Hawk. What do you guys think?

 

[jnicholes]

It seems like a pretty clear immature Swainson's Hawk to me. The picture from the rear gives a better sense of the wing length. They have quite long, pointed wings for a Buteo.

Just saw your post, and I agree.

 

[lmans66]

Swainsons....juvenile. The facial pattern doesn't show the predominate mustache...more a blend with head/cap in these originals photos

 

[fugl]

Ok, Swainson’s it is. . ..