Hunting Low

Great work, Jim.  Always a thrill when you catch one of these guys in flight. 

Hi Jim,

  Wonderful capture with beautiful colors, background & details.  Take care, Patsy

Would appreciate some identification help as well as any

comments/critiques.

Found in NE Oklahoma. Was flying just above the tall grasses and

brush and would frequently dive for prey. However, In observing for about

45 minutes, I never saw with any sort of catch.

I know it's not the common Red Tailed Hawk that is abundant in this

area. This one is much smaller.

According to my "Birds of the World" field guide, it does not have

the "pale cheek patch" of an American Kestrel but fits most of its

description except the "hovering" while hunting, and I have observed the

Kestrels doing so from a distance. This bird is a little larger I think than

the Kestrel.

It dosen't appear to fit the description of the Sharp-Shinned Hawk or te

Northern Goshawk either.

I'm thinking maybe a "Coopers Hawk" but, still searching!

Any help would greatly be appreciated!

Many thanks for your time!

Regards,

Jim j.

Great shot!  I'll leave identification to others more qualified but it does look similar to a Coopers Hawk except I usually see speckles on their chest....  Mike

Based on the white rump patch and general size, my guess would be a northern harrier ... you might see if that fits your geography.  Nice shot!

A beautiful result with very nice lighting, Jim!

very nice image of bird in flight with a good light and eye contact, I cannot help you in the  identification of this bird of prey, ciao Giangiorgio

Many thanks for your visits and encouraging comments!

I always feel blessed when my photography attempts have drawn your attention!

Still not certain in identification, . . . maybe a "cross" between the Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooper) which my field guide says "in flight shows the distinctive 'blunt-winged' and long-tailed shape of its genus." Or, . . . in checking out the Northern Harrier as Mark suggested, this bird does have the distinctive "disk of feathers around the face."

Both hunt by searching the ground in low, fast, gliding flight.

Visually in comparison to the illustrations in the field guide, this one has more of the appearance of the Cooper's Hawk but, then again,  the illustration of the Northern Harrier is that of the female which may not be as brightly colored or patterned.

So, I guess the verdict is still out! . . .

Thanks again all!

Jim j.

nice catch Jim.......my money is on a juvi northern harrier

Definitely a female northern harrier.  Probably a juvenile.  Owl like face, white rump patch and characteristic low to ground hunting is distinctive.

Thanks!

I returned to the area the other day but, no luck with more opportunities as it was overcast so the light wasn't any good.

However, I did observe two others hunting in the same area and, they did look more like the Northern Harrier illustration of my guide. In fact, I think the two that I observed were possibly a Male and a Female. The coloring was quite different and darker with the white tail patch more prominent.

A "new" area for me to concentrate on. Of the several trips to the area that I've made so far it appears to be pretty productive. And, on one trip late in the evening I could hear what sounded like three of four Owls callig to each other! Now I just need a little warmer temperatures and some good light!

Thanks again all,

Jim j.

I can't help with the classification, but I have no difficulty appreciating the quality of this image.  It's as if you got this bird to glance at you as it was flying by.  Its coloration and markings are beautifully preserved here.

My best,

michael

Beautiful bird, great colors. Regards.