Uncommon Osprey, or Red-tailed Hawk? Pittsburgh, PA, July 20th (1 Viewer)

[Giddy Goldfinch]

Hello, my sister spotted this huge bird under a bridge in Schenley Park on a very hot afternoon hike. We did not have binoculars with us and it was difficult to get a better shot than this one on an iPhone. I thought at first it was a red-tailed hawk, but it seemed much bigger. Maybe an Osprey, although uncommon there I think? Thanks!

 

[KenM]

It’s a Peregrine Falcon.👍

Cheers

 

[Giddy Goldfinch]

It’s a Peregrine Falcon.👍

Cheers

Nice! I'm new at this - what was the giveaway to you that it was a Peregrine Falcon?

 

[THE_FERN]

Nice! I'm new at this - what was the giveaway to you that it was a Peregrine Falcon?

For example: face mask (black), very white underparts, steel blue upper visible, shape=falcon with long wings

 

[Giddy Goldfinch]

For example: face mask (black), very white underparts, steel blue upper visible, shape=falcon with long wings

Thanks! Checking my field guide now and see what you mean regarding the shape and coloring - however, I thought Peregrines were smaller than Red-tails which is why I wrote it off initially. It was quite big.

 

[THE_FERN]

Thanks! Checking my field guide now and see what you mean regarding the shape and coloring - however, I thought Peregrines were smaller than Red-tails which is why I wrote it off initially. It was quite big.

They are: about 3" length wise. But it's very difficult to judge size of a bird and especially so in isolation

 

[JayFeatherPL]

Ospreys don't visit cities/towns, they don't like human presence. I agree it's a peregrine falcon. They often nest in cities, because high buildings resemble rocky cliffs, where they originally bred.

 

[Butty]

Ospreys don't visit cities/towns, they don't like human presence.

Osprey is among the most widespread of bird species, and its behaviour varies geographically, including tolerance of human presence. Wandering non-breeders are famous for showing up pretty much anywhere.

 

[JayFeatherPL]

Osprey is among the most widespread of bird species, and its behaviour varies geographically, including tolerance of human presence. Wandering non-breeders are famous for showing up pretty much anywhere.

By writing it doesn't like human presence I meant it doesn't nest and breed in cities like a peregrine or a kestrel. Of course it sometimes visits urban areas but these are rather rare cases

 

[Butty]

among the most widespread of bird species, and its behaviour varies geographically...

...when breeding and at other times.
The bridge:

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

Some of the eBird records from that park:

https://ebird.org/species/osprey/L271279

 

[Giddy Goldfinch]

...when breeding and at other times.
The bridge:

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

Some of the eBird records from that park:

https://ebird.org/species/osprey/L271279

That's interesting, looks like they have been there, but it probably wasn't what we saw. Maybe next hike!

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

Ospreys don't visit cities/towns, they don't like human presence. I agree it's a peregrine falcon. They often nest in cities, because high buildings resemble rocky cliffs, where they originally bred.

You are right in Europe but Osprey's behaviour in North America in significantly different.

 

[Patudo]

That is a very good spot! You might have found one of the little hidey-holes where adult peregrines go at this time of the year to avoid being hassled by endlessly hungry, and now highly mobile teenagers! I did a very quick Google search and found there is a pair on the Cathedral of Learning that overlooks Schenley Plaza, and indeed the entire park (Facebook link here). That bird is most likely one of the adults; there's a chance the youngsters, which apparently fledged around the end of May, are still hanging around the building, and if you put in a couple hours' watching, especially early and late, you might see them.

PS. if you think a peregrine is "huge", wait till you see a redtail - but that doesn't stop redtails (or pretty much any other bird) from being target practice for peregrines when the latter are in the mood...