KLG Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 I'm just beginning my bird journey, identifying birds in my neighborhood here in Tulsa Oklahoma. Red-tailed hawks are supposedly super common around here. But I've seen a couple of hawks during my morning walks (Dec 2021) and they don't quite look like the red-tails pictures to me. To my amateur eyes, and those of my neighbor, they look like red-shouldered hawks. Could someone more experienced take a look at these pictures and tell me what they think? The first picture, atop the mailbox post, was taken about 2 weeks ago. The other 3 pictures were taken the day of this posting. Pictures 1 & 2 were taken in the same general area. Pictures 3 & 4 were taken in a different area about 800 feet away (straight line). I was practically underneath it, but couldn't get around to see the back because of where it was. PS How evocative is it to see a hawk juxtaposed by a recycling bin?!?! And it just sat there as we walked slowly by, not more than 10 feet across the street. Thanks so much. KLG 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbvol50 Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 Red-shouldered for sure 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 15 minutes ago, hbvol50 said: Red-shouldered for sure Most definitely. There is also a Blue Jay, and a Northern Mockingbird(the mock is the one with the white wing patches) in the second photo. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/overview Welcome to Whatbird @KLG! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 41 minutes ago, KLG said: I'm just beginning my bird journey, identifying birds in my neighborhood here in Tulsa Oklahoma. That's great! It is a good hobby to get into, you don't have to do any more than you want, you can do it your whole life, Etc. If you are really wanting to get serious you will probable enjoy eBird, also AllAboutBirds. https://ebird.org/explore https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/ 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLG Posted December 22, 2021 Author Share Posted December 22, 2021 2 minutes ago, Kevin said: Most definitely. There is also a Blue Jay, and a Northern Mockingbird(the mock is the one with the white wing patches) in the second photo. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/overview Welcome to Whatbird @KLG! Thanks so much for the link @Kevin. I actually just started using Merlin so I can have a life list, and used the Red-shouldered pictures to narrow in. But wanted to make sure, since I'm so new at this and it said they were "uncommon" in my area. I thought that other picture with the two birds in flight was really neat, like little jet fighters. Thanks for helping me know what they are too ?. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted December 22, 2021 Share Posted December 22, 2021 Welcome to Whatbird, KLG, and to birds and birding! It is wonderful that your Red-shouldered Hawk is so acclimated to your neighborhood. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLG Posted December 22, 2021 Author Share Posted December 22, 2021 38 minutes ago, Peromyscus said: Welcome to Whatbird, KLG ... Thank you so much ? I didn't expect such a quick response and warm welcome. It's been lovely right from start with the super-quick confirmation from @hbvol50 and everyone's so nice. I hope I can someday pass on the good karma! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted December 22, 2021 Share Posted December 22, 2021 13 hours ago, KLG said: I'm just beginning my bird journey, identifying birds in my neighborhood here in Tulsa Oklahoma. Red-tailed hawks are supposedly super common around here. But I've seen a couple of hawks during my morning walks (Dec 2021) and they don't quite look like the red-tails pictures to me. To my amateur eyes, and those of my neighbor, they look like red-shouldered hawks. Welcome to Whatbird! You started with the most common bird (Red-tailed). Learning common birds is great, because you can use those as bases for comparison. You noticed enough differences to make you question whether this was indeed the expected species. You're off to an excellent start! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Hillard Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 KLG, Just letting you know that I've borrowed your pictures of the red shouldered hawk. A few days ago I heard a bunch of birds making quite a racket in my back yard. I guess they were very upset because one of those hawks was holding down a blue jay. There are at least 2 of them that hang out here. I saw them today and one of them landed right under my bird feeder! I certainly didn't have a chance to take a picture of them. So thanks for sharing yours. Linda in Muskogee,OK 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLG Posted January 20, 2022 Author Share Posted January 20, 2022 7 minutes ago, Linda Hillard said: KLG, Just letting you know that I've borrowed your pictures of the red shouldered hawk. A few days ago I heard a bunch of birds making quite a racket in my back yard. I guess they were very upset because one of those hawks was holding down a blue jay. There are at least 2 of them that hang out here. I saw them today and one of them landed right under my bird feeder! I certainly didn't have a chance to take a picture of them. So thanks for sharing yours. Linda in Muskogee,OK Linda Yay! ? I'm so happy you were able to use my pix to help you! Sounds like you might have a breeding pair, like I do in my neighborhood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now