Silver Swainson's Hawk - Weld County

[Cathy Sheeter]

A week ago I found and photographed a very unique colored Swainson's Hawk East of Kersey on Highway 34.  Where he should be brown he is a pinkish-gray color with excess white on his head and a wash of pinkish-gray down his chest and on his legs.  The bird was there again today, this time with it's mate, a standard looking female SWHA.  If you wish to try and see this hawk please be careful, as it has been on tall telephone poles right on the highway, which can be quite busy.  There is a pull out on the north side of the road close to where they have been seen.  The bird is not very flighty and has allowed for good looks both times (though today it was raining and the light was horrible).  Neither bird was there at 3:30 today, but both were there around 6 PM (which was roughly when I photographed it the first time as well).

 

I have put together an album with photos of this bird from the first time I saw it at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aphelionart/sets/72157634945990866/

Sometimes it looks more pink, and other times more gray.  But a very neat and unique raptor!

 

Cathy Sheeter

Fort Lupton, CO