Comments on: Falcon or Hawk?

By: Kathy Smith

Kathy Smith — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:39:50 +0000

Thank you so much for your help, for the past 6 months I couldn’t fiqure out what was right outside my window, it’s a Redtail Hawk!!!!!! Again thanks!!!

By: Barbara Gordon

Barbara Gordon — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 02:58:10 +0000

Very interesting information. Yesterday was the second time I saw a hawk on the bush right in front of my apartment. This time I even got a picture of it..! I’m in the outskirts of the city kind of, but cars are always going by. I do however have a few bird feeders outside and lots of birds and even a pesty little chipmonk or two..err!! Most of my succulents have been eaten away this year mainly because it has been so dry and they are both hungry and thirsty. I even put out extra water for them.

By: maddi

maddi — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:00:11 +0000

that is really helpful, thanks so much!!!! hawks are my favorite animal but i would always get them mixed up with falcons… until now.

By: Kate St. John

Kate St. John — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:12:44 +0000

Penny, I'm not sure which hawk you're seeing in Kansas in the winter. My best guess is one of these three: Northern Harrier: Most notable for the white rump patch on juveniles. Adult males look completely different. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_harrier/id/ac Ferruginous Hawk: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ferruginous_Hawk/id/ac Rough-legged Hawk, a visitor only in winter: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rough-legged_Hawk/id/ac The link below is to the Kansas birding list. Perhaps you'll find some hints there and/or people to contact in your area: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/KANS.html

By: penny

penny — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:03:19 +0000

i’m in kansas and i saw what looked like a hawk or falcon, but i’m having a very hard time identifying it. the most distinguishing feature was a single white bar on each wing.

and thank you for your blog, since i’ve moved to kansas from michigan i’ve seen many red-tailed hawks (they are everywhere here) and i like your pictures!

By: tahar sadok

tahar sadok — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 07:10:23 +0000

i like falcon and is my job .am from morroco

By: rob

rob — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:39:14 +0000

from pa here and me and my daughter have seing this hawk or falcon swoop down and take birds out of the air its looks gray and has a straight white line under each wing we been trying to find out what kind of prey this is and we had no luck online and books please help

By: Kate St. John

Kate St. John — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:05:16 +0000

Jim, you’re right. It’s a red-tailed hawk. Thanks for sharing the photo.

By: Jim Naureckas

Jim Naureckas — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:20:13 +0000

Thanks for the identification tips–you helped me confirm that I saw a red-tail and not a peregrine today in New York’s Union Square.

By: Rochelle Landis

Rochelle Landis — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 02:13:19 +0000

Oh, what a complete thrill today!! My friend and I were driving in Squirrel Hill on Wilkins Ave. this afternoon. (Pittsburgh) I was the driver. This area is totally populated and residential with a good bit of traffic. Driving along, I spotted a large blur of muted colors and movement on the sidewalk to my right a good ten feet away. (I have this innate radar for nature’s creatures) As I neared, I honed in on it, and cried to my friend, Oh, Wow, I think it’s a I red-tailed hawk! I had to see more, so I pulled up to the curb parallel to the bird on the sidewalk only about a foot and a half away, and though I was blocking traffic, I could not move! I was mesmerized! The hawk had bagged a young squirrel which he held captive in his left foot talons; the poor little prey was writhing away, trying to break free, but the bird held him fast. We watched; the hawk knew we were there parked next to him, but we were silent. We observed him (or her) in profile mostly, as that is how the bird was positioned with its prey. We watched and waited, curious as to why the hawk lingered with its wiggling creature so long without further attempt to kill or eat it. The bird did cast his eyes at the car a few times, but seemed undisturbed by us; rather, there was wariness, which was apparent by his shifting his weight back and forth, turning his feet a bit, and moving his head oh so slightly. I got the sense that he was much more concerned about other predators who might steal his food or threaten him. I observed that the hawk was in decision mode…..he had the squirrel, he knew, but he wasn’t comfortable with it on the pavement. What to do? After almost 10 minutes, a long time, he moved with the squirrel a few inches forward, then stopped and contemplated further, and finally took off in flight, heading for foliage so he could enjoy the feast in private.
I was awe-struck at his beauty; your distinction, showing comparative pictures and a very good description of the differences helped me enormously. Was this, in fact, a red-tail? I got confused because I did not see red color on the tail, but then again, the tail was not spread, nor could I see under it. The bird was large with a prominent head, dramatic hooked beak, and beautifully brown, white, black flecked colors on its feathers. His wings were no doubt large as they draped along his sides almost the length of his body. I knew this couldn’t be a peregrine, not the right coloring, too large, and would unlikely not be on the sidewalk in Sq. Hill.
I have seen red-tails, but never like this; this was almost a private showing. I can still see every detail of his beautiful body and intelligent face. To see these raptors uncaged, not in an aviary, not in a video, is a gift. My friend, who is not animal savvy and never saw any birds of prey, was so moved, he kept telling everyone we met throughout the afternoon about the experience. I am so glad for him to have had such a thrilling, personal experience, one he (and I) will long remember.
Thanks for listening….I just had to share my joy with other raptor lovers!!