Marsh Hawk
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jackwood
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Hello,
I am Jackwood.This is my first visit to site.I am new to this site,but I’ve enjoyed posting in your forums.You have done great job.I like this photo.Great work.In the DesPlaines River valley between the river and the Santa Fe RR.,north-east of Mannheim Road bridge, lies one of the last remnants of the original Illinois prairies often burned but never ploughed and never mowed. It is the home of a pair of Marsh Hawks apparently they mate or life -- and once, by marking where the female flew up from a tangle of dead grasses, we found their nest.This is the only American hawk that always nests on the ground.When hunting, it skims low over a big marsh or an upland prairie, tirelessly quartering back and forth like a well-trained bird dog. Now and then it makes a few deliberate wing strokes but when it spies a moving prey the hawk halts may even do a back somersault -- hovers an instant with rapidly beating wings, and then pounces. His trademark is a conspicuous white rump.Thank you very much and Stay connected with me.
I am Jackwood.This is my first visit to site.I am new to this site,but I’ve enjoyed posting in your forums.You have done great job.I like this photo.Great work.In the DesPlaines River valley between the river and the Santa Fe RR.,north-east of Mannheim Road bridge, lies one of the last remnants of the original Illinois prairies often burned but never ploughed and never mowed. It is the home of a pair of Marsh Hawks apparently they mate or life -- and once, by marking where the female flew up from a tangle of dead grasses, we found their nest.This is the only American hawk that always nests on the ground.When hunting, it skims low over a big marsh or an upland prairie, tirelessly quartering back and forth like a well-trained bird dog. Now and then it makes a few deliberate wing strokes but when it spies a moving prey the hawk halts may even do a back somersault -- hovers an instant with rapidly beating wings, and then pounces. His trademark is a conspicuous white rump.Thank you very much and Stay connected with me.
I am not a birder, but its fun to try and figure this out because no one has taken a firm stand. I have Kaufmann's book.
This does not look like a Marsh Hawk, also known as the Norther Harrier; Circus cyaneus.
This is an Accipiter, and I think it is a juvenile Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii).
The other choice is the Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus). But my determination is that no, it is too large for that.
I would like to be proven wrong as it would help me learn.
This does not look like a Marsh Hawk, also known as the Norther Harrier; Circus cyaneus.
This is an Accipiter, and I think it is a juvenile Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii).
The other choice is the Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus). But my determination is that no, it is too large for that.
I would like to be proven wrong as it would help me learn.
Not much of a birder myself when it comes to the non-eating variety but this picture from Flickr of a juvenile Cooper's Hawk sure looks like the original subject's twin brudder.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicarver/2274733302/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicarver/2274733302/
It's a Coop.
A sharpie would have long skinny legs, a smallish head. and a more squared off tail.
Round vs square tail is not entirely diagnostic, but this bird has a decidedly round tail.
A sharpie would have long skinny legs, a smallish head. and a more squared off tail.
Round vs square tail is not entirely diagnostic, but this bird has a decidedly round tail.
Any thoughts on what this may be? I am thrown by the colored band about the neck... otherwise, I would say it was a red tail.
Any thoughts on what this may be? I am thrown by the colored band about the neck... otherwise, I would say it was a red tail.
Difficult due to the blur, my guess is a Swainson's.
A good chart to carry along. My son used this for his presentations at the Cape May Hawk Watch.
http://www.hmana.org/documents/NEHW_Hawk_Guide_08.pdf
I am going to say a Red Tail too (Buteo jamaicensis), and here is why.
Below the distinguishing white portion of the breast is the streaked bands of the belly. The color I think you are referring too is actually the throat, which is another marker of the red tail. If you can magnify your photo to show the characteristic dark leading edge of the front wings, I think we are 85% correct.
Edit: the Swainsons is a Western hawk that migrates to South America for the winter. Kaufman says that..."a few individuals stray to the Atlantic Coast in fall....(but)....he goes on to say that..."winter reports of Swainson's are usually based on Red Tail or Rough-legged Hawks".
That chart is good. I have the Golden Field guide and the Audubon guide, and that does look like the Swainson's, thanks. I will try to get a better picture.
EDIT: better pic... the swainsons dark color seems to go down the breast more than this. That tail is very red...
EDIT: better pic... the swainsons dark color seems to go down the breast more than this. That tail is very red...
Yep, you can see the forward edge wing detail better in this shot. I tend not to use coloration so much as there can be a lot of variation.
Judging by size, length of tail, and the uneven tail bands which is key, id say female or juv Northern Goshawk. Hard to ge ta perspective but this bird looks very large and heavy bodied.
There has been a Swainsons hanging around Cape May for about a month, but they're a very rare visitor. That second bird is a sure Red-Tail that belly band is a tell tale field mark.
Well so much for consensus. The two pics I posted are the same bird. I am going with the darkness along the leading wing edge = Red Tail. (on a side note I saw some Buffleheads today...)
I think there is just some confusion here Pancoast. The later posters are not identifying the photo they are referring to. To clear up confusion:
Post #1: Accipitor cooperii (Cooper's Hawk).
Post #9, 10, and 12: Buteo jamaicensis (Red Tail Hawk).
Post #1: Accipitor cooperii (Cooper's Hawk).
Post #9, 10, and 12: Buteo jamaicensis (Red Tail Hawk).