chrisnicel
New member
Hello -
First, I apologize for the poor quality of these pictures - they were taken with my iPhone.
I am located in Braes Heights, Houston, Texas (29.693515, -95.433045). As I was driving through my neighborhood this AM, this little immature hawk flew in front of my truck and landed on the curb. (http://www.flickr.com//photos/24056540@N03/sets/72157627554423335/show/) What isn't clearly shown in these pictures is that his head had dark brown stripes (beak to nape). His talons were shockingly yellow - but I don't recall if the beak had yellow or not. The curb (that he is in front of) is approx 5-6 inches.
I am thinking he is a juvenile Swainson's Hawk. I also considered a Red Tail Hawk, but he really did have a slender build. My husband did hear a two-bird birdsong that sounded like the recordings of a Swainson's.
If I am remembering my birding lectures from UTex (20+ years ago) - the Swainson's should not be this far East.
So I am wondering (1) Is this a Swainson's? (2) Is it possible he has been moved this far east because of the drought and/or wildfires? I think of that because he was very interested in drinking the water ... more so than my truck scootching so that I could photograph him.
Thanks in advance ... Terri
First, I apologize for the poor quality of these pictures - they were taken with my iPhone.
I am located in Braes Heights, Houston, Texas (29.693515, -95.433045). As I was driving through my neighborhood this AM, this little immature hawk flew in front of my truck and landed on the curb. (http://www.flickr.com//photos/24056540@N03/sets/72157627554423335/show/) What isn't clearly shown in these pictures is that his head had dark brown stripes (beak to nape). His talons were shockingly yellow - but I don't recall if the beak had yellow or not. The curb (that he is in front of) is approx 5-6 inches.
I am thinking he is a juvenile Swainson's Hawk. I also considered a Red Tail Hawk, but he really did have a slender build. My husband did hear a two-bird birdsong that sounded like the recordings of a Swainson's.
If I am remembering my birding lectures from UTex (20+ years ago) - the Swainson's should not be this far East.
So I am wondering (1) Is this a Swainson's? (2) Is it possible he has been moved this far east because of the drought and/or wildfires? I think of that because he was very interested in drinking the water ... more so than my truck scootching so that I could photograph him.
Thanks in advance ... Terri
