Gray headed medium sized hawk with black tail in western Oklahoma (1 Viewer)

[Farmboythree]

Have been seeing many of these hawks swooping low in parking lots and landing in tops of small trees in Elk City, Oklahoma. They are smaller than a Red-tailed hawk but larger than a Kestrel. At first I assumed these were gray hawks or Mexican Goshawks. But I understand they are rare to this area. And these birds do not have the white bar on the tail. It is solid black with just a little white on the edge. They aren’t so much buteo shaped but not sleek like a falcon or night hawk either.

 

[KC Foggin]

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[Ruff-Leg]

Mississippi Kite is a possibility based on your description and location.

 

[nartreb]

Yep, kite jumped to mind from the headline and description fits (except white edge on tail)