Krider's Hawk? Environmental Learning Center, Larimer County

[Caleb A]

Hello CObirders!

While birding the ELC on May 17th, I photographed a very interesting buteo that I think is a potential Krider's Red-tailed Hawk. I've attached my photos below. I'm very curious to pinpoint an ID (if it's even possible from my photos), so I'll put my thoughts down in an organized fashion. I have a very open mind about this bird, so I'd really appreciate to hear the CObirds community weigh in on this guy.

Supporting marks:

• White underparts
• No belly band
• White tail
• Dark shoulder bars
• Light "wrist" marks in between shoulder bars and wingtips
• Darker wingtips
• White throat

Incongruent marks:

• Head is all dark with white throat

I'm confused about the belly band thing. In Sibley's guide, under "Eastern" Juvenile looks really great, but only problem is Eastern has a conspicuous, dark belly band, but this bird has nothing on the belly. However, Eastern Juvenile DOES have the right head color pattern, dark shoulder bars, wrist patches, white tail, and darker wingtips.

I eliminated Southwestern subspecies, because it lacks a white throat. I eliminated Swainson's Hawk, because of color pattern. I eliminated Ferruginous Hawk because Ferruginous doesn't have thin, dark shoulder bars.

Do Red-tailed Hawk subspecies hybridize?

The birds are happy, and so am I

~Caleb Alons, Larimer County

[Adrian Lakin (adrianlakin1@gmail.com)]

Hi Caleb,

I saw the same light buteo yesterday at the ELC. Did you get any responses on the ID?

Thanks,

Adrian Lakin,

Mead, CO