I was going through some of my unidentified photos and came across this one taken in November, 2006. Any help is appreciated. The only raptors that I could find with a white head were the Mississippi Kite, Northern Goshawk, Swainson's Hawk or Rough-legged Hawk. I'm leaning toward the Rough-legged Hawk. But, whatever it is, it is the only time I have gotten a photo of it.
Looks like a Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk for me too.
Resin
Thanks, OldNed & Resin. With the mostly white head, which is where I concentrated my search, I would have never guessed a Red-shouldered Hawk. What did you all use as a guide for identification ?
I was going on the wing pattern - rusty red-brown coverts, and black-and-white barring on the flight feathers, with that distinctive translucent crescent near the tips of the primaries.
That it has its mouth open is something of a clue too; Red-shouldereds are noisy birds, much more vocal than most other raptors.
Resin
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