Weekly Bird Identification Quiz
May 3 - May 9, 2010
How to Identify:
This bird presents a good identification challenge especially given that the location where the photo was taken is not given. At first it would seem that many hawks could fit the bird in this picture. The structure of this bird should point us in the direction of the Buteos. As we take a closer look, the options become much more limited. One easy way to eliminate a lot of possibilities is to look at the pattern on the chest and belly. The horizontal streaking as well as how far it extends down the belly. The only two butoes that come close to this pattern are Red-shouldered and Broad-winged. The facial pattern of the bird in the photograph is quite obvious. The white eyebrow and cheek help us identify this as a Red-shouldered Hawk.
Answer: Red-shouldered Hawk
Photo Location: Lover's Key State Park, Fort Myers Beach, FL
Photo Date: April 2010
Correct Answers:
Catherine Ripma, Carmel, IN
Other Answers:
Gray Hawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Merlin - 1
Prairie Falcon - 1