red tail hawk question

[Anne Williams]

The neighborhood red-tail has an odd looking tail.  The 2 central feathers are red-rusty.  The outer ones are all barred - brown and white. 

Does this coloring indicate age?  or a strange mutation?

And if it's age, when will the bird get its full red tail?

Thank you,

Anne Williams in Lewiston

[Scott Richardson]

Yes, that’s a good sign of age. That hawk probably hatched in 2017. Now that it’s passed its 2nd birthday (in its third calendar year), it will get its red tail starting with the central feathers. Good eye!

Scott

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