I would say for sure it is NOT a Red-shouldered Hawk. The fly much more
like a Cooper's than a Red-tail and are shaped rather more like an
accipiter than a Buteo, in my experience.

Gene Hunn.

On Wed, 24 Jan 1996, Bill and Nancy LaFramboise wrote:

> For all you hawk experts out there, could you please help with
> identification of the Red-shouldered Hawk (RSHA)(first year) that is at
> McNary Refuge. Here are some details noted by Tony Greager 1/24/96. Your
> comments are appreciated.
>
> Characteristics that suggest RSHA:
>
> 1) Barred leg feathers - heavy
> 2) Barred undertail coverts - heavy
> 3) Checkered or barred belly - not vertically striped
> 4) Yellow legs
> 5) some appearance of a smaller or shorter bill, smaller overall size,
> longer winged
> 6) has primaries with a light base - only from below, doesn't show from top
> 7) tail striped
> 8) upper wing coverts and scapulars are uniformly fringed/ notched with
> white giving an overall mottled appearence. Red-tails generally have
> limited white fringing forming 2 distinct white streaks on each side of the
> back.
>
>
> Characteristics that may not suggest RSHA:
>
> 1) Way out of range
> 2) Frequently hovers (over open field)
> 3) glides like RTHA (wing and body attitude)
> 4) soars like a RTHA (flap to glide ratio, attitude)
> 5) soars with other RTHA
> 6) flaps like a RTHA
> 7) wing width similar to RTHA
> 8) no window or crescent on upper wing
> 9) no rufous or tawny coloration apparent
> 10) barring on front of bird not uniform above belly - some clearing right
> under chin, barring continues up on side
>
> Are any of these totally inconsistent with RSHA?
>
>
> Tony saw this bird flying with other RTHA and could not separate it by
> behavior or silhouette naked eye, only by markings with binoculars.
>
> What else should we be looking for? Since we don't usually have these birds
> here, we are trying to make sure of the identification.
>
> We plan to continue to observe the bird and take photos.
>
>
> Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
> Richland, WA
> wlafra at oneworld.owt.com
>
>