Harrier? Hawk? Help. So. WI

[Kittipaws]

This bird was REALLY far away; I wasn't even sure it was a bird at first. I realized after I shot I was way overexposed (1st photo). I changed my settings looked up to shoot again, and the bird was gone. I edited the best I could in Lightroom (the other two photos). The closest I can guess is Northern Harrier, but the head just looks strange to me. We have loads of Red-tails around here, but it doesn't look quite right for that either. But I am not that familiar with these birds to know their different morphs and variations so help is appreciated. This was a couple days ago.

Thanks so much!

 

 

 

 

[Pileus]

Yes, looks like a Northern Harrier. I get the impression of facial discs from. It bugged me that the tail seems short, but that may have to do with the perching angle of the bird.

[thelodger14]

Looks more like a young Red=tailed Hawk having not yet grown  into its russet colored tail.

[The Bird Nuts]

I'd lean towards Red-tailed as well.

[jcarscadden]

did you happen to see it in flight.  I just saw my first outside of Las Vegas and when they fly there is a conspicuous white patch near where the tail meet the body - this one was ID'd for me by the staff at he Clark County Wetland in Las Vegas in February of this year...a juvenile I believe

juvenile Northern Harrier 2 by Jim Carscadden, on Flickr

[Kittipaws]

I did not see the bird flying or get another photo of it since it was gone in a flash.

Thanks for the help!