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Sparrow and Hawk ID Help Payette, Idaho


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I found this Hawk and Sparrow in Payette County, Idaho on Sunday Jan 6th 2019. I also found 8 Greater Yellowlegs. Thank You for you help.

The hawk I think might be a Rough Legged Hawk, I saw t fly and land and there was no red tail and the beak looks more Rough Legged to me but I would love input.

The Sparrow I think might be a Savannah Sparrow. there were 4 or 5 in the reeds but a drainige ditch in between 2 fields. Thank You for you input and help.

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15 hours ago, Sean C said:

I think SWHA or RLHA on the Hawk, but I'm not sure. @Melierax has more experience with Hawks in Idaho.

The Sparrow is indeed a Savannah

Swainsons Hawks migrate to Argentina for the winter. No black tail tip on this guy - meaning it's an immature dark morph red tail due to the light eye.

Edited by Melierax
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A couple more tips for the hawk: the thin dark bands on the underside of the tail are generally indicative of a red tail. Also, shape is key. Rough-leggeds appear bottom heavy, whereas Red-tails look broad shouldered and more top heavy. 

I agree with the sparrow.

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1 hour ago, Melierax said:

Swainsons Hawks migrate to Argentina for the winter. No black tail tip on this guy - meaning it's an immature dark morph red tail due to the light eye.

Thank You we have already had a report of a Swainson's Hawk in Elmore county, Idaho. Not sure how reliable that sighting is how.  But I thought also a immature Red Tail dark morph.

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44 minutes ago, tdteal said:

Thank You we have already had a report of a Swainson's Hawk in Elmore county, Idaho. Not sure how reliable that sighting is how.  But I thought also a immature Red Tail dark morph.

Oh okay, I didnt see that report. Swanson's also have dark tail tips and their under wing coverts are light and their flight feathers are dark, the opposite of your bird. The dark morphs are a bit iffy with that feature but the under wing coverts are a light orangish rather than black like your bird. Also, the overall giss doesn't look swainsons to me. 

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