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Liz Stanley | all galleries >> Galleries >> Minnesota > Red-tailed hawk (dark)
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02-JAN-2011 Liz

Red-tailed hawk (dark)

Edina, MN

I've noticed this dark hawk many times while I drive along Hwy 100 in Edina. Finally went out to get some photos of it and I was thinking it was a Harlan's red-tailed hawk. I've learned from very knowledgeable and helpful birders that this is not a Harlan's hawk. Here's why:

*Harlan wing tips do not reach tip of the tail, it has variable streaking on breast and bird is more blackish than red tailed dark phase.
*The warm brown coloration, rufous dorsal color of the tail, and rufous upper chest rule out a Harlan Hawk.
*Note the long wings, which are typical of a western red-tail, and not of our eastern sub-species.


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