After failing to find the Redwing this morning (Tuesday Dec 28) I
decided to go to Nisqually and return in the afternoon (which proved
to be a successful strategy). At Nisqually NWR, as I approached the
twin barns on the boardwalk through the wooded area, I saw a small
immature buteo perched in a tree. As I approached closer there were
two other people looking at the hawk. One of these, claiming
extensive experience, had identified the bird as an immature
Broad-winged Hawk. I was not entirely convinced but at the same
time, I was unable to rule it out. So here are some things I noted.
Chunky body, broad rounded wings and short tail identify it as a
buteo and it was definitely immature. The small size of the bird
and the small beak seemed consistent with Broad-wing. Also the
wooded habitat was consistent with Broadwing. While I have
certainly seen Red-tails in the woods, I personally have never seen
a Red-tail hunting in the woods as this bird was. It was constantly
looking down and several times flew down to the ground presumably
trying to capture something. The head was a reddish brown and the
back was brown with a few white spots in the scapulars. I believe
this is consistent with Broadwing but also with Red-tail. Though I
never got a full frontal view from the side it appeared that the
front was pale with bold streaking particularly across the belly (a
classic Red-tail pattern but I think possible in a Broadwing). The
tail was banded dark gray on dull brown (but no hint of red at all).
I didn't notice a wider terminal band but the tail feathers seemed
quite worn and a bit ragged. When perched the tail feathers were
held together so that the tail seemed fairly narrow. In summary I
am not sure what this was but I would suggest that anyone at
Nisqually look for this hawk in the wooded area around the barns.

Jim Elder
Seattle, WA
delderson at archerserve.com