pointreyesbirder 6 Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 The following two raptors were seen over the last 10 days in western edge of Central Valley of CA near SF (suspected harrier) and North SF Bay (suspected hawk). Three not so good photos of the first one. Included all three to provide back of head and back. This one had light gray head all the way around. Dark gray on shoulders. In flight it had white tail with faint banding, nearly all white undersides, black tips on primaries. Assume this is a Northern Harrier? I didn't see any significant black tips on secondaries in flight. And the eye is a bit off for a harrier, maybe? Whatever it was, it was big. As big or a tad bigger than a red-shouldered right near it. Second one seems like a younger red-shouldered? Without face markings of significance, I am not confident. Thanks for any insights. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jefferson Shank 2,675 Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 Northern Harrier Red-shouldered Hawk 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Bird Nuts 5,159 Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 (edited) I agree, male Northern Harrier and young Red-shouldered. For the Red-shouldered note the distinct pale barring on the wings and wide tail bands. Edited March 6 by The Bird Nuts 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pointreyesbirder 6 Posted March 6 Author Share Posted March 6 OK. Thanks for the help. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Leukering 3,316 Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 3 hours ago, The Bird Nuts said:and wide tail bands. wide DARK tail bands; the white bands are quite narrow and provide even more proof of the ID 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlexHenry 1,814 Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 I’m confused - the Central Valley isn’t really near SF? My whole county and the whole SF Bay are between them Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Bird Nuts 5,159 Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 3 hours ago, Tony Leukering said: wide DARK tail bands; the white bands are quite narrow and provide even more proof of the ID Yes, indeed. Should have mentioned that, but I didn't because I didn't think there were any other expected Buteos species in California with wide tail bands. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlexHenry 1,814 Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 3 hours ago, The Bird Nuts said: Yes, indeed. Should have mentioned that, but I didn't because I didn't think there were any other expected Buteos species in California with wide tail bands. Zone-tailed Hawk? Broad-winged Hawk? 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kerri 435 Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 The male Northern Harrier I believe is nicknamed the "Gray Ghost". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Bird Nuts 5,159 Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 8 hours ago, AlexHenry said: Zone-tailed Hawk? Broad-winged Hawk? Thanks, I knew I was going to forget one. Are Broad-wingeds all that common? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Connor Cochrane 3,343 Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 4 minutes ago, The Bird Nuts said: Are Broad-wingeds all that common? They aren’t common. The most I’ve had in a day here is 12, though I know some people have gotten into the 60s. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlexHenry 1,814 Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 2 hours ago, The Bird Nuts said: Are Broad-wingeds all that common? 2 hours ago, Connor Cochrane said: They aren’t common. The most I’ve had in a day here is 12, though I know some people have gotten into the 60s. To clarify, Broad-wings actually are pretty rare in California, in general. However, at specific hawk watch sites where large numbers of buteos pass through, (such as Hawk Hill in Marin County), they are reasonably reliable in fall migration, and in some cases can be seen in fair to large numbers (but not in huge kettles). 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hasan 467 Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 (edited) 18 hours ago, AlexHenry said: Zone-tailed Hawk? Broad-winged Hawk? I can't imagine that Zone-tailed Hawk is common either- it's generally an Arizona (plus texas and nm?) specialty, and I don't think there's really a good path of habitat leading all the way into California. Edited March 8 by Hasan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Connor Cochrane 3,343 Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 45 minutes ago, Hasan said: I can't imagine that Zone-tailed Hawk is common either- it's generally an Arizona (plus texas and nm?) specialty, and I don't think there's really a good path of habitat leading all the way into California. They aren't that common at all. The are very uncommon and local at some spots in the desert. I've only had one in the state before. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin 4,467 Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 16 hours ago, Hasan said: texas Texas, if you please! 😛 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BirdNrd 916 Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 20 hours ago, Hasan said: I can't imagine that Zone-tailed Hawk is common either- it's generally an Arizona (plus texas and nm?) specialty, and I don't think there's really a good path of habitat leading all the way into California. We had 1 here on the coast in December-January. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlexHenry 1,814 Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 On 3/7/2021 at 5:19 PM, Hasan said: I can't imagine that Zone-tailed Hawk is common either- it's generally an Arizona (plus texas and nm?) specialty, and I don't think there's really a good path of habitat leading all the way into California. They aren’t common. But they can be reliably found in several of the Southern California counties, and there are records as far north as Santa Clara, San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Humboldt, and even single records from Oregon and Washington state. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jerry Friedman 679 Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 On 3/7/2021 at 6:19 PM, Hasan said: I can't imagine that Zone-tailed Hawk is common either- it's generally an Arizona (plus texas and nm?) specialty, and I don't think there's really a good path of habitat leading all the way into California. Yes, NM, though they're not common where I am in el norte. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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