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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Central New Mexico,USA Bird ID 1/9/2021 help (1 Viewer)

I dont want to share my opinion on what I think this bird is because it would just be a guess based on the books I have. Any help would be appreciated helping me identify this falcon/hawk/eagle. It landed in front of me and started eating a tiny bird. Once it realized I was there it took off so I have a pic of it sitting, flying (top view) and a side shot. Thanks in advance, sorry its blurry, I am new to photography and my manual focus skills are slow.
 

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I would say that it is a dark immature Red-tailed Hawk. The plumage is wrong for Short-tailed.
Not saying you're wrong: which aspects are troubling? ...I thought the tail too long (relatively), and the wings not broad enough (ditto) for red-tailed.
 
I think Short-tailed should show less bold patterning in the axillaries as well as the flight feathers. However, range (New Mexico) is by far the biggest mark against Short-tailed.
 
Agree with Harrier on #1 (used to watch these a lot when I lived out west).

Either way, welcome to Birdforum and thanks for posting some nice photos of birds and some gorgeous landscapes. New Mexico! ❤️❤️❤️
 
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