Mark Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 I know I have been absent for a while here, but work and life. I however do need some assistance on identifying this hawk. I think it may be a Harris Hawk. This was seen on 2 Jan around Lackland AFB here in San Antonio, TX around noon. I apologize for the not so great pics, but the little bugger wouldn't let me get within range for a really good pic. He kept moving from tree stand to tree stand along the road that bordered a large scrub field. I am going to go back to the area today to see if he is still in the area and attempt to get better pics. Plus, it was an overcast day, so not the best for photography. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Mark! I don't have a guess about your bird but it's good to hear from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akandula Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 (edited) This hawk doesn't have a long white-tipped tail, white undertail coverts, or reddish shoulder patches that would indicate a Harris's Hawk. It looks like a dark morph Red-tailed Hawk to me. It's not as bulky as a Ferruginous and doesn't have the long wings of a Swainson's. Edited January 4, 2020 by akandula Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 That is a Red-tailed Hawk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 Thanks all and thanks Charlie for the welcome back. I did get some better pics today of this bird in flight. He was still hanging around the same area, exhibiting the same behavior of moving from tree stand to tree stand. At times, yes his tail did appear red, with a band on the tips. But, in a different angle, the undertail is white along with the wing feathers. So, I can see Red-tail Dark Morph (Harlan's) (thanks Akandula) according to the reference pic in Merlin. What do you all think of that analysis? Good call? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfinmt Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 A dark-morph harlani would typically appear quite black, and usually variably streaked with white. I see nothing in these photos that decidedly moves to Harlan's. Perhaps then just a dark or intermediate morph calurus. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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