Random bird photo no. 1

Your guess is as good as mine

John Bear [ Tue Nov 30 2010 9:22 PM ]

John Bear

Tony Hawk?

I saw this bird out of the corner of my eye while driving up Isleta Blvd. Tuesday. I looked in the bird book but can't figure out what it is, some sort of bird of prey. I photographed it until it flew away.

Public Comments (9)

- rriverstone
  - rriverstone's profile
  - send message to rriverstone
- Since 2010-09-29
- rural NM
- Posts: 64
Ferruginous Hawk? [ Tue Nov 30 2010 10:04 PM ]

I can't judge from this photo how large your friend is, but my GUESS is Ferruginous Hawk, which really isn't a true hawk, but a buteo hawk, or "buzzard," in Europe. Here's the skinny on your pal, if I'm right:
[link]
THIS one almost looks like it was photographed in the same place! Doesn't say.
[link]
Last edited [11/30/10 10:07 PM]
- duncande150
  - duncande150's profile
  - send message to duncande150
- Since 2010-08-12
- Posts: 1
Kestrel [ Wed Dec 1 2010 12:26 AM ]

Actually, I believe it's a Kestrel. They coloring varies but the bluish head and wing markings definitely look like Kestrel. The pure white chest threw me a little (and I believe Ferruginous Hawks have less mottling than Red-Tails but they're actually bigger, being the largest of the buteos and can be mistaken for an Eagle). This one looks smallish, so a Kestrel, I think.
- m_c_zero
  - m_c_zero's profile
  - send message to m_c_zero
- Since 2008-09-03
- Posts: 63
Looks like a Peregrine Falcon to me... [ Wed Dec 1 2010 11:11 AM ]

They're known to be around this area, so that would be my guess...
- RoseRed
  - RoseRed's profile
  - send message to RoseRed
- Since 2007-12-11
- Posts: 18
I vote Ferruginous Hawk [ Wed Dec 1 2010 11:40 AM ]

Could be a young one due to its size.
- sisterimapoet
  - sisterimapoet's profile
  - send message to sisterimapoet
- Since 2010-11-20
- ABQ--NE
- Posts: 11
I Vote Kestrel... [ Wed Dec 1 2010 11:44 AM ]

I'm voting for Kestrel, because I agree with his views on foreign policy and health care.
Seriously, though, it does look like a Peregrine falcon.
- FoxMcCloud
  - FoxMcCloud's profile
  - send message to FoxMcCloud
- Since 2008-09-26
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Posts: 344
I thought Peregrine Falcon... [ Wed Dec 1 2010 12:44 PM ]

Until I remembered they typically have black hoods from my old science classes. The two pictures look almost identical, so I'd have to agree with Ferruginous Hawk.
- sisterimapoet
  - sisterimapoet's profile
  - send message to sisterimapoet
- Since 2010-11-20
- ABQ--NE
- Posts: 11
Yeah. It's a hawk. [ Wed Dec 1 2010 1:42 PM ]

Good point. Besides, Falco wouldn't likely be seen perching on a telephone pole. He'd prefer to be in an Arwing trying to claim more bogeys than Fox.
And the "Biggest Dork" award goes to...
- black
  - black's profile
  - send message to black
- Since 2008-09-10
- Posts: 121
Bird Nerds [ Wed Dec 1 2010 1:48 PM ]

Take a look at that beak.
It's gotta be a Jew bird.
OK, maybe an Arab Bird
Last edited [12/1/10 1:49 PM]
- luna48324
  - luna48324's profile
  - send message to luna48324
- Since 2010-12-01
- Posts: 1
Ferruginous Hawk... F'sho [ Wed Dec 1 2010 1:55 PM ]

Hawks have a supra-orbital process - bone above the eye that acts like the bill of a baseball cap to help them hunt ground prey in the middle of the day.
Falcons have a malar stripe - looks like a little mustache starting at the top of their bill and going down the cheek. Works like "eye-black" used by football players to reduce glare.
This guy's totally got a SOP goin' on. Maybe he's just a bebe?