Unknown Raptor - San Antonio, Texas (1 Viewer)

[rubonix]

Got out today for a bit in a nearby patch. Today weather was mostly overcast, so as I was shooting some pics in a dark area with my Exposure Compensation pushed up I noticed a long distance presumed Raptor flying. I took some pics but I know the quality is pretty poor based on distance and settings. Was hoping maybe to get some feedback on the jizz of the bird if possible.

Thx

--Ruben

http://www.alt-take.com/unknown-raptor-comp.jpg

 

[RJP]

Long tail, white rump patch - Northern Harrier.

 

[Larry Lade]

Northern Harrier for me also.

 

[Tiraya]

I'm finding it hard to rule out an Accipter. Just doesn't "feel" harrier like.

Also I don't think that white is on the rump no matter how it may look at first...

 

[Nutcracker]

I'm finding it hard to rule out an Accipter. Just doesn't "feel" harrier like.

Also I don't think that white is on the rump no matter how it may look at first...

Me too. That pot belly in the top row pics just doesn't look like a harrier - if it had just eaten, the bulge would be at the front end, where the crop is. And the white looks more like fanned undertail coverts. Presumably Cooper's, as Gos doesn't occur in Texas, unless perhaps a falconer's escapee (must admit, Gos was my first thought yesterday).

 

[Peter C.]

Check out the top row - very long wings. Too long for an accipter, in my opinion.

 

[Tib78]

Definitely an Accipiter and presumably a Cooper's. 6 fingers among other things would rule out Northern harrier.

 

[Bird_Bill]

Northern Harrier

 

[Sangahyando]

I'm finding it hard to rule out an Accipter. Just doesn't "feel" harrier like.

Also I don't think that white is on the rump no matter how it may look at first...

I was thinking the same thing...

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It's funny looking in some of the pictures but my initial and continuing reaction on seeing these pictures was of an accipiter with its undertail coverts flared, very probably a Cooper's Hawk. I don't really see any obvious problem for that species in terms of either plumage or shape.

 

[StuartReeves]

It's funny looking in some of the pictures but my initial and continuing reaction on seeing these pictures was of an accipiter with its undertail coverts flared, very probably a Cooper's Hawk. I don't really see any obvious problem for that species in terms of either plumage or shape.

That's also my view. It's certainly not a harrier.

 

[Kratter]

It lacks the dark trailing edge to the secondaries shown by Northern Harrier as well. I'd say Cooper's Hawk as well. Although wing shape looks kind of unaccipiter-like in the first few photos and much more accipiter-like in the last three, it is the same bird throughout, as evidenced by the molting inner primaries.

Andy

 

[Nutcracker]

I'd say Cooper's Hawk as well.

Obviously Cooper's is by far the most likely, but is it possible to definitively rule out an escaped falconer's Goshawk?

 

[Neil Morris]

It's certainly an Accipiter, based on structure and plumage. With Northern Goshawk eliminated on range, it is Cooper's Hawk. The undertail coverts are 'flared' and can often wrap around the base of the tail giving the impression of white on the rump.

 

[Tiraya]

For those still unconvinced, the "white rump" is what you see here, except the pictures we are looking at are tilted upward more:

http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/Photos/Raptors/COHA_adMale3.jpg

I've photographed Cooper's with flared undertail coverts before in a way that at first resembles a white rump patch so it isn't unusual.

 

[JANJ]

Definitely an Accipiter and presumably a Cooper's. 6 fingers among other things would rule out Northern harrier.

Correct.

JanJ

 

[Nutcracker]

With Northern Goshawk eliminated on range, it is Cooper's Hawk.

Wild birds, yes, but escapees??