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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Richard Klim" data-source="post: 1583595" data-attributes="member: 773">AOU2009 PhiladelphiaClark, W S 2009. Taxonomic status of Harlan's Hawk. 127th Stated Meeting of the AOU.Abstract:"Harlan’s Hawk (Buteo harlani) has been considered by the AOU as either a species (1886-1891, 1944-1973) or as a subspecies of Red-tailed Hawk (B. jamaicensis) (1898-1944, 1973-present). The two lumpings lacked taxonomic justifications, whereas the separation in 1944 was based on published plumage differences. From examining more than 2000 museum specimens, I have found that Harlan’s are always diagnosable by plumage and by the shorter extent of bare tarsi. These taxa differ in frequency of color morphs, tail coloration and pattern, body plumage by age, behavior, and markings on the remiges. Harlan’s Hawk plumages are highly variable, much more so than in other Buteos. Rufous in the plumages of many adults, apparently the only reason for the lumpings, will be shown to be due to ancestry, not to interbreeding. No valid cases of interbreeding were found; all such alleged cases were in the breeding range of Harlan’s and were based on misidentified adults. Harlan’s Hawk should be again considered a species, as it differs greatly from Red-tailed Hawk, and its inclusion in that taxon has never been justified."Richard</blockquote>