smittyone@cox.net

I saw this bird yesterday afternoon in western Iowa. I initially thought it was an immature American Robin. But now I wonder if it isn't some kind of Thrush? A little smaller than a typical Robin but larger than a typical Sparrow.

I saw this Rough-legged hawk (RLHA) this afternoon in Mills Co., Iowa. I'm leaning towards light morph adult female, but I have difficulty sexing them by plumage. Eye color is throwing me off too, as to whether it's an adult or immature. They appear light greenish gray, but the sky was dark and overcast so the color may not be that accurate.

Pic was taken about a month ago south of Council Bluffs, Iowa. I would've called it a "northern" RTHA, but now I'm reading that of the 14 subspecies, there's no such thing as a "northern". Maybe Alaskan? We definitely do get migrants here in the winter.

I captured about 30 frames of this Trumpeter swan flypast in NW Missouri on Wednesday. In every frame, the lead swan's neck was "kinked" like this. Regardless of whatever caused the injury, it doesn't seem to effect the bird's ability to fly. Not know how long the bird has been dealing with this situation, who knows if it can still eat? Sorry if I've posted this in the wrong area. Moderators please put this post where it belongs.

Thanks everyone. BTW, yes Charlie Spencer, It did stick the landing. Although I successfully captured the entire landing sequence frame by frame, the extreme distance made for fair resolution shots at best.

Does this pic help?

Watching Bald Eagles on the ice at Loess Bluffs NWR, in NW Missouri. This small raptor flies past and also lands on the ice for a few moments. At first I though it was a Peregrine Falcon (I've seen them there before). But now I'm thinking it's a Merlin, possible Taiga. Although size was difficult to judge, it seemed Kestrel-sized. The pic is heavily cropped.

Seen late this afternoon south of Council Bluffs, IA. I've seen both dark morph Rough-legged Hawks (RLHA) and Harlan's Red-tailed Hawks (RTHA) in this area over the last several weeks. I think this one is a dark morph Harlan's (buteo harlani) Red-tailed Hawk. What do you guys think?

Hope this pic helps. BTW, don't yellow eyes on a buteo generally indicate immature?

Seen about 6 weeks ago south of Council Bluffs, IA. Although this appears to be a light morph immature Eastern (borealis) Red-tailed Hawk (RTHA). I'm having 2nd thoughts. Might it have enough light tones to fall into Krider's RTHA territory?

Thanks folks. Now I'll have to go back and have another look at my recent "Harlan's" shots. Maybe I've misidentified other dark-morph Rough-legged Hawks as Harlan's RTHAs?

Seen this afternoon south of Council Bluffs, IA. Is this a dark-morph Rough-legged Hawk (RLHA) or a Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk (RTHA). I've seen both Harlan's (including extremely dark morph ones), as well as several Rough-legged Hawks in this area over the last few weeks. Although, of all the Rough-legged Hawks I've seen, I've never encountered a dark-morph one before. That being said, when I Google dark morph RLHA, the images shown appear (to me) identical to this bird. I'm leaning toward a dark Rough-legged.

Sorry it's taken me so long to return to this thread. So the consensus is adult (Eastern) Red-tailed Hawk (RTHA), Buteo jamaicensis borealis?

Thanks everyone.

I encountered this bird yesterday afternoon south of Council Bluffs, IA. I'm 95% sure it's a Merlin, and not a Prairie Falcon. However, can anyone determine (by location/plumage/date) if this is a male or female Merlin, an adult or an immature bird, Taiga or Prairie subspecies?

Actually the question wasn't whether it was a Harlan's ssp of Red-tailed Hawk. But if it was a light morph or an intermediate morph Harlan's. I probably should have phrased the question better.

Is this a light morph or intermediate morph Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk? It was seen this afternoon in NW Missouri.

Seen this afternoon south of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Is this a Red-shouldered Hawk or a Red-tailed Hawk?

Thank you BIrding Boy.

Going through my archives. Pics taken at Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs, IA, back in May 2017. Is this a Red-shouldered Hawk? Forgive me if I've submitted these before. My poor memory is only surpassed by my lack of organizational skills.

Would've been cool if it was a Goshawk. Never seen one of those before.

Fairly heavily cropped and backlit shot. Taken this morning south of Council Bluffs, IA. The not bulky body rules out a Buteo (I think) and leans toward an accipiter. The streaky breast markings suggest to me it is an immature Cooper's Hawk or immature Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Seen yesterday afternoon at Loess Bluffs NWR in NW Missouri. Are these two birds Wilson's Snipe?

Seen yesterday morning at Loess Bluffs NWR in NW Missouri. Are these three birds Lesser Yellowlegs?

Seen today in NW Missouri.