Handsome Buteo Bird

21 Feb

Red-Shouldered Hawk on power pole

See Susan, I’ve been seeing Red-Shouldered Hawks too. I saw this one fly over the road and land here. Gorgeous thing. He obligingly let me take a couple of shots and then flew to a nearby tree where he also posed beautifully. Love, love, love these birds!

Red-Shouldered in Redwood tree

Standard Disclaimer: I am not a hawk identifying expert. If all the comments attached to this blog point out that this is not a Red-Shouldered Hawk but instead a Greater Pink-breasted Eagle Owl, well, I stand corrected and will be more careful in the future. The streaky red breast and the white dabbles on the shoulder screamed RSHA to me — oh and I saw it’s tail while in flight — totally black and white bands. But, you know those Greater Pink-breasted Eagle Owls can be tricky to ID so bring it on, people.

11 Responses to “Handsome Buteo Bird”

  1. jayne 21 February, 2008 at 3:52 am #

    LOLOLOL Liza… love the disclaimer! I will step out on a limb to say that the expert Science Chimp herownself clued me in on the “zebra like” pattern of the Red-shouldered’s wings, and so you are absolutely correct! But, then again, those GPBO’s are indeed ones that can trip you up!

  2. Lynne at Hasty Brook 21 February, 2008 at 6:29 am #

    Too funny!! I LOVE your disclaimer! I always get a little hinky when I put an ID out there.

  3. Mike 21 February, 2008 at 7:27 am #

    I’m pretty sure Greater Pink-breasted Eagle Owls have horns like reindeer, right? Anyway, great shots!

  4. robin andrea 21 February, 2008 at 7:55 am #

    I think I may have to copy your disclaimer for all the times in the future when I am unsure of what I’m about to declare! Beautiful photographs, Liza.

  5. Trixie 21 February, 2008 at 10:36 am #

    Maybe a Lesser Pink Breasted Eagle Owl….

  6. mary 21 February, 2008 at 5:11 pm #

    I agree with Robin! I need a formal disclaimer for all of my ID blunders. Looks like a red-tailed to me :o)

    Funny!

  7. mon@rch 21 February, 2008 at 5:40 pm #

    Very funny and without a doubt those Greater Pink-breasted Eagles are hard to ID! πŸ™‚

  8. Liza Lee Miller 21 February, 2008 at 9:50 pm #

    Thanks for all the great comments. You gotta laugh at yourself sometimes, right?

  9. Susan Gets Native 22 February, 2008 at 9:14 pm #

    You slay me, Liza.
    Greater pink chested eagle owl. You smart-***.

  10. Liza Lee Miller 23 February, 2008 at 8:22 am #

    Mission accomplished then! πŸ™‚ Slaying Susan. I can check that one off my to do list! Woot!

  11. Kathiesbirds 26 February, 2008 at 2:53 pm #

    I don’t know much about red-shouldered hawks but I like the idea of a Greater pink-chested eagle owl. Great imagination! Nice photos too! Now, what does it eat?

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