Kittipaws Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 10/13. Thanks to my slow lens this is the only shot I got of this bird before it disappeared behind some trees. This area was by a lake, and the only birds I saw on it earlier were a couple pied-billed grebes and some tree swallows. I have looked at this photo for so long I don't know if it's a duck, hawk, or robin anymore. The first photo is the original with just a touch of shadow lightening; the second has been lightened and sharpened, but the color wasn't touched. It was the golden hour btw so I don't think this bird was orange. Thanks so much for any suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creeker Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 With those translucent wing "windows" and the pattern on those secondaries it looks like a Red-shouldered Hawk. That would also explain the reddish body color. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvoryBillHope Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 Red-bellied Woodpecker perhaps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creeker Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 Yeah, looking at it closer, those look like white wing patches, not windows, and the head does not look hawk like. Not sure what it is. I don't have any experience with Red-bellied Woodpecker, so I can't confirm or deny. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittipaws Posted October 25, 2018 Author Share Posted October 25, 2018 That wing pattern most definitely matches the red-bellied woodpecker. Seems like a lot of red for that bird, but I suppose the golden hour and a bad photo can create that. That would also explain the short forked tail that I originally thought were duck feet 😄 . I must say though I was hoping it was the Red-shouldered Hawk as that would've been a lifer for me 😕 I just used a different editing software for this photo, and the head definitely looks more woodpecker in this one with less red. Next time I think I'll desaturate to get a different perspective. Thanks so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 The tail looks too short for a Red-Bellied to me. Do you remember if the wing beats were continuous? Red-Bellieds fold their wings in and glide every two or three wing-beats, rising on the beats and sinking when they glide. I think a Red-Shouldered would flap more continuously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmyos Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 (edited) 7 hours ago, Charlie Spencer said: The tail looks too short for a Red-Bellied to me. Do you remember if the wing beats were continuous? Red-Bellieds fold their wings in and glide every two or three wing-beats, rising on the beats and sinking when they glide. I think a Red-Shouldered would flap more continuously. I am 100% sure this is a Red-bellied Woodpecker. I think the angle creates a perceptional distortion, making the tail appear shorter than it actually is. Not to mention, depending on the way the bird flexes its feathers, the tail may appear smaller or larger. Here is another Red-bellied Woodpecker for comparison. That white half moon pattern is pretty unmistakable; check out those primaries! Edited October 26, 2018 by Jimmyos 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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