Raptor

[SirVive]

Playing catch up with some old photos. Dec in Olinda, CA. 

[Melierax]

Strikes me as a Swainson's since it's lacking any prominent white spots on the scapular which would point to Red-tailed.

[Bird Brain]

I wouldn't expect to see a Swainson's in Calif in Dec, although that was my 1st visual impression also. I think it's the lighting making it look different. Looks like there is enough white on the scapulars to point to Red-tailed, it's just that the back of the bird is on the shaded side which makes the white less prominent. I'd go with Red-tailed.

[Connor Cochrane]

This looks like a Red Tailed. No chance for a swainsons in December. They migrate way down south. 

[AlexHenry]

Small numbers of Swainson's winter in the central valley but Olinda is too far north and that looks fine for a Red-tailed Hawk to me

[Melierax]

Whoops, I didn't notice the Dec. Yep, gotta be a Red-tailed. 

[AlexHenry]

6 hours ago, Bird Brain said:

Looks like there is enough white on the scapulars to point to Red-tailed

I have seen Swainson's with white in the scapulars - pretty sure that it's poop from flying in kettles ?