Posted by Paul Smith on March 29, 2004 at 08:40:25:
Hi - just a tourist who needs some help with a Florida bird:
Location: on a party fishing boat in the Gulf about ten miles out of Clearwater Fla.
General: Small and hawk-like - wingspan about 15 / 18 " and length the same. Long tail.
Color: Brown - similar to a brown thrasher. Same color below as above. Faint barring on wings and tail. Bird appeared to be a bit 'fluffy' as opposed to sleak and streamlined.
Behaviour: Was alone. Flew somewhat slow, close to the water with steady wingbeats. Would fly a couple hundred of feet away from the boat and then would come back again. Landed briefly on the railing a couple of times. Dissappeared after 1/2 hour.
Looked closest to a Sharp-skinned or Coopers Hawk, but I can't figure either of them being 10 miles out at sea.
Any help would be appreciated.