>Bill and Nancy detailed:
>
>>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
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
>This is the most important distinction. Do you mean vertically striped,
>or horizontally barred here? It would have to be barred rather than
>striped for RSHA... or Broad-winged. By the way, just about all raptors
>have white feather bases.
>
>

The tail is horizontally barred. We hesitate to say, "just like the book"
but the tail is picture perfect with The National Geographic guide p 193,
immature western. No wide, light margin at the end of the tail as many RTHA
pictures show. If Nancy can get through the snow today, she will try to
find the hawk again. Comments like these are appreciated so she knows what
features to concentrate on.


Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Richland, WA
wlafra at oneworld.owt.com