You may enlarge any image in this blog by clicking on it. Click again for a detailed view.
I was successful the other day in capturing an image of an adult Red-tailed Hawk as it departed the stump of a long-dead palm.
We are in the midst of the fall migration in southern Arizona, an exciting time of year when some species are leaving, others are arriving, and still others are passing through. I continue to see large numbers of Swainson’s Hawks as they drop in on the farmlands, spend a day or two, then continue their long southward journey to their wintering grounds in Argentina. At the same time, Red-tailed Hawks have started arriving from more northern latitudes, to spend their winters here in the company of local, resident Red Tails.
Given all of these comings and goings, why am I so confident that this bird is a Red Tail and not its close relative, a Swainson’s Hawk? When seen from underneath as is the case with this bird, its brick-red tail isn’t so clearly visible. However, this bird has characteristics that tell me immediately that this is a Red-tailed Hawk.
The leading (front) edge of this bird’s wing is a dead giveaway. Do you see that solid brown line that leads from the base of the wing halfway to the tip? That line is a Red Tail trademark, something that a Swainson’s Hawk lacks. Another distinguishing characteristic is the bird’s tail. This bird’s tail is solid whereas a Swainson’s Hawk’s tail would show banding. There is also a definite red tone to the tail even when viewed from underneath.
The hawk’s morphology also says “Red-tailed Hawk.” The wings on a Red Tail are rounded and very broad. A Swainson’s Hawk’s wings are proportionately longer and are much more tapered. Finally, the Red Tail definitely has a chunkier body than a Swainson’s Hawk has. Although the two species are relatively close in overall size, a Swainson’s Hawk has a daintier, more graceful appearance than a Red Tail.
Image made with a Canon R5, Canon EF 400mm f4 DO II lens+Canon EF 1.4x telextender, M setting (auto ISO), ISO 1000, f5.6 @ 1/4000, +1 1/3 stops exposure compensation.
Sonoran Images 