Birds in Flight 3

The Red-tailed Hawk is the most widespread hawk in North America, and is almost as common as the Swainson's here in the San Luis Valley.

Red-tailed Hawks are highly variable in appearance. Some are very light (called Krider's Hawk) and others almost black (called Harlan's Hawk).  Between those two extremes is a complete range of light-to-dark plumage.

Here is a light colored juvenile.  It is molting so there are some gaps in the wing and tail feathers. The juveniles lack the red tail, but the best field mark for flying birds seen from below is evident here, and that is the dark "patagial mark" on the leading edge of the wing.  This dark marking near the shoulder is evident on virtually all Red-tailed Hawks.

Here is an adult bird, and from below you can begin to make out the red tail.  The patagial mark is very obvious on this bird.

And a second adult bird.  At this angle the red tail doesn't show up at all, but the other field marks are sharp.

They are well-named, as most adults do have a beautiful red tail.  Here are a couple of shots that show that particular field mark. You either need to be above the bird or have a cooperative bird bank enough in flight to show you the top of its tail.

Mark