Hi all,

Here is the breakdown of guesses for the mystery raptor who I named Ghengis..

It was not an easy one so many thanks for participating! I usually don't enjoy photo quizzes myself but we all can something from them.

Firstly, I neglected to say the hawk was photographed this early January in Conconully, WA (Okanogan Co) while birding with Mike Marsh.

We had 52 birders who participated despite having over 2100 looks or 'hits' for this mystery raptor.

Rough legged 26
Swainson's 20
Red shouldered 1
Broad winged 2
Harlan?s 3

Here is a SUMMARY to the correct ID.

Swainson's can be ruled out based on the body shape and proportions and the fairly strong pattern on the wing coverts and scapulars.

Harlan's should be more strongly black and white with some white spots in the scapulars and more white around the eyes.

Things suggesting Rough-legged include small bill, white forehead, long wings reaching at least to the tail tip, and the overall mottled pattern.

If you guess Dark-morph Rough-legged Hawk, you were CORRECT!

MANY THANKS to David Sibley, Jerry Liguori, and Bud Anderson for confirming the ID. The latter two, being the raptor authorities.

Also, you can see a few birder's comments as to what they guessed and why on my website.

http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/photo_quiz_

Good birding,

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)