Albino Hawk....

I was out trying to get a few plant pictures in the garden and heard a load sqauking and looked up to see this albino Hawk, First one I've ever seen, Wish I could have gotten a better picture, but, I was rushing to get this one as I knew he was going to fly off at any moment and he was quite a distance away. I have heard him here many times and seen him since this photo. But only when taking this photo did I realize he was an albino or is he?? I do have a few other photos, But I think this is one of the better ones..

neat sight whatever it is!

Not a completely pure albino as it has dark eyes (pink on a full albino) and a tiny scattering of pigmented feathers. But a certainly a very striking partial albino!

Resin

nanbernier, It was so neat to see him and he is around all the time so I'm going to try and get a better photo when I can.

Resin, It was the lack of pink eyes that made me wonder about him being full albino, But, He's pretty close.

Yep! Seems to be hunting successfully too, which can't be easy with no camouflage.

Resin

Resin, That would make it hard for him and I feel bad as I do see a lot of different birds chasing and harrassing him, but he still seems to be managing to hold his own.

Neat experience and nice shot. Any chance of identification ? Red-tailed Hawk ?

I'm not sure, I think it's a red tail though, Hope maybe Resin can ID it.

check out this link, might be "leucistic"

http://www.birdchick.com/2007/04/lecistic-hawk.html

That is a great picture.!

Tough one to identify! Going on shape, I'd suspect more likely Red-shouldered than Red-tailed, but I'd not like to say for certain.

On partial albino / leucistic, see part way down this thread for definitions: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/724859/

Resin

jleigh
, Thanks, An interesting link! The white hawk there is a beauty!

wren107, Thanks!

Resin, The link holds quite a ratio in differences, I'm still not sure, I'll go get the picture of him taking off for flight, Not a very good picture, But, Maybe more explainitory.

Here it is...

Wow. Really, Really cool. Congratulations!!1

Thanks Mrs_Ed!

What a beautiful Hawk...I'm so glad you posted the pics!

Thanks dellrose.

Beak open in both pics . . . is it very noisy? If yes, that would support Red-shouldered, which is generally far more vocal than Red-tailed.

Resin

Resin, "It's Very Noisy!!" So I think you got it..It must be a red shouldered. Thanks!

I wouldn't want that mouth coming at ME!

Mrs_Ed, It's kind of funny because when he flew off that tree it's like he was headed straight my way at one point! Glad he flew over instead of at me!