On Mon, 21 Aug 1995, Dean Wampler wrote:

> My wife and I saw a raptor twice last week that may have been a white-tailed
> (black-shouldered) kite. We would like some help confirming or refutting this
> identification.
>
[snip...snip]
>
> In summary, the tail and body plumage seem to rule out almost everything else:
> Red Tails, including Harlans, Rough Legs, Eagles, Accipiters, and Osprey's.
> Have there been any other sightings recently of white-tailed kites in the
> area?

Greetings-

the only other bird that might fit that description is a male N. Harrier..
however, however, I seem to recall that kites have been spotted in the
Seattle area last spring some time. The lack of hovering is curious...
*Hawks in Flight*, by Dunne, Sibley & Sutton, mentions that strong white
rump patch in the Harrier...they call the N. Harrier the Great Fooler, as
it's continually mistaken in hawk counts for accipiters and even peregrines..
The chapter on kites points to the distinctive black patches on the
shoulders.. Looks like you've seen a kite...

Tom