Yet one more Northern Red-tailed Hawk?

[smittyone@cox.net]

Yet another one from Loess Bluffs NWR in NW Missouri from January 2022.  This young 'un has the features of a light morph Northern, abieticola.  But for some inexplicable reason, I can't be certain. 

I accumulated over 1,000+ pics of this bird, from every possible angle, over several visits there.  I am absolutely positive it's always the same individual.  It looked the same, it was always found in the same area, and most importantly, was it's behavior.  Very un-Red-tail-like, it was completely oblivious to humans being nearby.  It hunted right in front of me on several occasions.  Because of that, I can provide clear images from whatever angle is necessary, to make an informed ID decision.   

First 3 pics are from the 10th.  The next three are from the 13th. The last pic is from the 17th.

[Avery]

The white throat is throwing me, but I’m not sure the throat is dark in immature birds anyway. Also, that primary molt is like an optical illusion

[Snake Fingers]

1 hour ago, smittyone@cox.net said:

Yet another one from Loess Bluffs NWR in NW Missouri from January 2022.  This young 'un has the features of a light morph Northern, abieticola.  But for some inexplicable reason, I can't be certain. 

I accumulated over 1,000+ pics of this bird, from every possible angle, over several visits there.  I am absolutely positive it's always the same individual.  It looked the same, it was always found in the same area, and most importantly, was it's behavior.  Very un-Red-tail-like, it was completely oblivious to humans being nearby.  It hunted right in front of me on several occasions.  Because of that, I can provide clear images from whatever angle is necessary, to make an informed ID decision.   

First 3 pics are from the 10th.  The next three are from the 13th. The last pic is from the 17th.

Sweet photos!!

[smittyone@cox.net]

Just for fun, why is this not an Eastern (borealis)?

[chipperatl]

Juvenile birds always seem blobbier in the belly.  I’m always hesitant to ID them to subspecies.  I think the framed throat, and dribbles down the neck would lean toward Northern.  

[Birds are cool]

Great photos @smittyone@cox.net! IMO it is either borealis or abieticola. Leaning abieticola though.