Subject: Re: Weird Buteo?? Buteo buteo??
Date: Jan 23 20:41:44 1997
From: Don Cecile - dcecile at cln.etc.bc.ca


I took the opportunity to look at the photos of the buteo. I am impressed
with two of the images, it surprises me how well those appear having been
scanned and all... the other photos were too challenging for discerning details.

Based on what I could tell, the bird appears to be an immature Red-tailed
Hawk. One photo shows the tail pattern very well, that looks like imm. RT
Hawk. The shape of the bird in the photos seems to match, the fairly
heavily streaked breast is also indicative of young RT. The small white
patch that is visible on the back of one of the photos also points toward a
RT identification. I had briefly considered Red-shouldered, primarily
because you had mentioned it in your text but the bird shape does not seem
to be quite right, the bill appears too heavy and the head rather blocky.
It would be worthwhile to get descriptions or photos of the undersides of
the wings.

I find identification by photos very challenging but at the same time rather
interesting. For what it's worth, you have my two cents worth.


cheers,

Don Cecile
dcecile at cln.etc.bc.ca