Posted by Robin Diaz on January 01, 1970 at 00:00:00
Thank you, Paul for getting the word out about this possible rare hawk! This is a tough ID, especially with a known young Broad-winged Hawk (it was calling this morning) in the area. The photo and description from Brian Wheeler's _Raptors of Western North America_ may be helpful. Paul Pugh's photo is at an angle so the wing-to-tail ratio isn't precise. However, Wheeler's photo shows that young Gray Hawk wings only fall mid-tail, as opposed to Broad-winged Hawk where the wings fall just short of the tail tip. Wheeler also points out that Gray Hawk has a bright yellow cere (fleshy area at the base of the upper mandible), while Broad-winged Hawk doesn't. He also mentions that young Gray Hawks have dark barring on the secondaries, while Broad-winged immatures have solid brown secondaries. Thank you Paul Bithorn and Paul Pugh.