The Harlan's Race of Red-tailed Hawks

I had the good fortune of discovering both dark and light-morph Harlan's Hawks in Utah County, Utah a couple of winters ago. In both cases it was Jerry Liguori who confirmed and educated me on the identifications. I've used Jerry's Books and his personal instruction on numerous occasions since I began looking for hawks about four years ago. I get excited for raptors around this time of year in Utah because we begin to see northern raptors such as Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, and Merlin. We also see more of our native raptors such as Ferruginous Hawk and Prairie Falcon as they return from remote nesting areas. Having them perch in deciduous trees which have lost their leaves makes them all the more visible during the winter months as well. I shared a post about this time last year called Utah's Winter Raptors Revisited. This year I want to share some of the images and information I've learned about Harlan's Hawks in hopes of seeing them again this winter. 

Harlan's Hawks breed in Alaska and northwestern Canada. They migrate to the western US states during our winter months. Most Harlan's Hawks are dark types (intermediate and dark). About 12% are light. They are typically very skittish birds and don't allow close approach by humans so it is often difficult to get good images of them. I suspect they are skittish because they don't breed near large human populations. Two years ago I shared the image below with the local birding community and learned it was a Harlan's Hawk. Days later I was able to locate multiple dark Harlan's Hawks in a location we locally refer to as "the point of the mountain." It is also the site of Utah's Flight Park State Recreation Area.

Juvenile Dark Type Harlan's Hawk in Lehi, UT.  The banding in the primary feathers can be seen clear to the tips on juvenile Harlan's Hawks. That is generally not the case for juvenile western Red-tailed Hawks which show dark primary tips.

Below is a juvenile Harlan's Hawk on the left and a juvenile western Red-tailed Hawk on the right. Shadowing makes the right-side primary feathers of the Harlan's Hawk appear to have dark tips. However, the left wing is fully lit and reveals the banding to the tips. The banding in the wings and the tail of the Harlan's is also thicker than those of the western race of the species.

                            

The image below is of a juvenile dark Harlan's Hawk. The head shows a mix of light and dark feathers. Speckling occurs on the back and upper wing coverts. Thick dark banding is also seen in the tail feathers.

Juvenile Dark Harlan's Hawk in Lehi, UT

I've seen and photographed some adult dark adult Harlan's Hawks from a distance. However, even at a distance they can be recognized when certain field marks are visible. The tail is often the most obvious identifier for adult Harlan's because it appears washed out. It can show mostly whitish/gray with some red or dark edging or borders. From what I've observed, dark Harlan's often show dark coloration to the edges and/or end of the tail. Light Harlan's often show more of a rufous coloration on the edges and/or end of the tail. However, Brian Sullivan, one of the authors of The Crossley ID Guide: Raptors, shared with me that the tail patterns of both light and dark Harlan's can range from from all white to nearly black, with all sorts of mottled combinations and colors in between. While some dark Harlan's show banding in the tail, he has yet to see a light morph with true banding in the tail. The image below has been severely cropped, but I knew this was an adult dark Harlan's when I saw the mostly white tail with darkish borders.

Adult Dark Harlan's Hawk in Provo, UT

Here is a front view of the same dark adult. It is mostly dark with some mottling in the head and more on the upper chest.

Adult Dark Harlan's Hawk in Provo, UT

And here is another view of the same dark adult flying away and showing the tail.

Adult Dark Harlan's Hawk in Provo, UT

Once I began to become familiar with Harlan's Hawks I became more aware of their presence. I found another location last winter that had a couple of dark adults. They were in Lehi, Utah along a newly constructed boulevard called Pioneer Crossing.

Adult Dark Harlan's Hawk in Lehi, UT

Just miles from my home in Pleasant Grove I found two more Harlan's Hawk near Pleasant Grove Boulevard. The one below was hunting in an open field and landed as it attempted to catch some prey. You can see the streaking in the head, a white arc over the eye, and the mottled chest.

Juvenile Dark Harlan's Hawk in Pleasant Grove, UT

This is a second Harlan's Hawk flying over the same field. It's chest is not as white, but it shows barring to the tips of the primaries, streaking in the head, consistent mottling of black and white throughout, and the jagged tail feathers typical of dark type juveniles. This particular bird shows some buff color behind the eye and gape.

Juvenile Dark Harlan's Hawk in Pleasant Grove, UT

Below is the top side of the same juvenile pictured above. Mottling is seen in the scapulars and the upper wing coverts. Heavy barring in the tail and the jagged tail tips are also visible.

Juvenile Dark Harlan's Hawk in Pleasant Grove, UT

An adult light Harlan's I located in American Fork, Utah last winter allowed me to study it for several days. This was the most fun I've had with observing a Harlan's Hawk. The image of that hawk below shows streaking in the head as opposed to the typical dark head of western Red-tailed Hawks. White above the eye is quite visible. Rather than the typical belly banding of western Red-tailed Hawks this one shows a bright white belly (no buffy coloring) with well demarcated spotting on the upper chest and streaking in the neck area. The prominent rufous coloring of a typical western Red-tailed Hawk is absent from the tail of this bird in this view.

Light Adult Harlan's Hawk in American Fork, UT

Again, one of the quickest ways to spot an adult Harlan's Hawk is seeing its tail. This image reveals a predominately white tail with some rufous coloring on the side and tip.

Light Adult Harlan's Hawk in American Fork, UT

The dark terminal band in the wings indicates the hawk is an adult. Juveniles don't show such a thick terminal band. It is not uncommon for banding to be almost absent in the flight feathers of adult Harlan's Hawks, especially for light adults like the one being shared in these images. This feature is extremely rare with other races of Red-tailed Hawks. Mottling in the flight feathers is another characteristic for adult Harlan's Hawks. Mottling can be seen throughout the underside of the tail and wing feathers in the image below.

Light Adult Harlan's Hawk in American Fork, UT

In addition to the tail, the dorsal view of an adult Harlan's Hawk reveals white scapulars on an otherwise brown upper side. Light and dark Harlan's Hawks are generally brownish on the upper side, despite how dark or light the under side may appear.

 

Below are a few more images of the light adult Harlan's Hawk. Unlike juvenile Harlan's Hawks, adults do have dark primary tips like other western Red-tailed Hawks. Barring to the tips of the primaries is a trait for juvenile Harlan's Hawks, not adults.

Light Adult Harlan's Hawk in American Fork, UT

Light Adult Harlan's Hawk in American Fork, UT

River Otters and A Red-necked Grebe

The title of this post sounds like the basis for a dumb joke now that I'm thinking about it. Anyway, you know I love birding, but encountering mammals and seeing them in natural surroundings and behaviors is a fascinating bonus that sometimes comes with birding.

One of my birding friends found a group of Northern River Otters playing in the moat that surrounds the Provo Airport (Provo, UT) a couple months ago. The otters weren't seen for a while so we suspected they had moved on since they are a rare sight in Utah County. From what I've read otters were more common in Utah Rivers many years ago in extreme northeastern Utah. I read a 1991 article about efforts of the Division of Wildlife Resources to reintroduce River Otters in eastern Utah via the Green River. Otters were being captured where they were thriving in Alaska, flown to Salt Lake City, and then released within hours in the Green River. I'm not sure how much has been done since that time, but they are a protected species so I hope they are able to thrive without threat from humans.

The same friend who saw the otters confirmed the presence of a Red-necked Grebe in the moat around the airport a couple of days ago. I had seen only one Red-necked Grebe before so I decided to try to locate it the next day before going to work. I didn't see the grebe where it had been reported when I first arrived so I made a quick drive around the the perimeter of the airport while keeping an eye on the moat. I had stopped at one point and heard what sounded like a large animal moving through the base of some phragmite stands across the moat from me. I know otters like to play on mud and/or snow slides near water. I noticed an area of open dirt between phragmite stands that could be used for sliding from the bank into the water. Based on that thinking I watched the dirt area and soon three Northern River Otters appeared. They were still hiding so I wondered if I could make a squealing noise with my mouth to make them curious. It worked and they entered the water and swam in my direction (I was using my truck as a blind so they could not see me). Moments later they all began to dive. They quickly resurfaced with large catfish in their mouths. They chomped and chomped and then swallowed the fish and dove for more. They would give low growls/snorts between dives. They repeated this process numerous times until they were satisfied with their breakfast. Otters are crepuscular so they are most active in twilight hours, early mornings and evenings.

Here is a series of images showing the possible slide area where they entered, swimming, eating, and leaving the water. I enjoyed the experience. The sun was just rising over the mountains and shining right into my eyes as I looked eastward toward the otters--too bad the sun was not to my back. They were back lit and in shadows the whole time so I've had to lighten up these images.

Northern River Otter in Provo Airport Moat in Provo, UT

Northern River Otter in Provo Airport Moat in Provo, UT

Northern River Otter in Provo Airport Moat in Provo, UT

Northern River Otter Eating Catfish in Provo Airport Moat in Provo, UT

Northern River Otter Eating Catfish in Provo Airport Moat in Provo, UT

Northern River Otter Eating Catfish in Provo Airport Moat in Provo, UT

Northern River Otter Eating Catfish in Provo Airport Moat in Provo, UT

Northern River Otter in Provo Airport Moat in Provo, UT

As I was leaving to go to work I came across some more friends who had located the grebe and were trying to get into place to photograph it. I didn't have much time so I took a few quick shots. It was a juvenile Red-necked Grebe so it still had some black and white striping on its head. It was not in breeding plumage so it didn't show the white cheeks contrasted by black crown and red neck. However, it was still an extremely rare bird for the state of Utah, let alone Utah County.

Juvenile Red-necked Grebe in Provo Airport Moat in Provo, UT

Juvenile Red-necked Grebe Preening in Provo Airport Moat in Provo, UT

Juvenile Red-necked Grebe in Provo Airport Moat in Provo, UT

Hello and Goodbye To Swainson's Hawks and a Merlin

Most Swainson's Hawks leave northern Utah by the end of September so I was surprised and excited to see one on September 28th. I had a feeling it would be the last Swainson's Hawk I'd see until their return from Argentina in the spring. It was a juvenile that will look a bit different when it returns next year. I held a one-way conversation with the bird when I said, "Hello and goodbye. I'll see you in the spring!" I was glad that my last 2013 encounter with a Swainson's Hawk was a close one. The bird patiently posed atop a power pole in an agricultural area on the south end of Utah Lake.

Juvenile Swainson's Hawk Utah County, UT

Juvenile Swainson's Hawk Utah County, UT

Juvenile Swainson's Hawk Utah County, UT

Later in the morning as we were heading home Eric and I were talking about our success in seeing target birds for the day. Eric had high hopes of seeing a Sabine's Gull near Lincoln Point. That was a stretch since he'd never seen one in Utah County in over ten years of active birding. However, he had used his bird sense to determine the best place to find one should there be one in Utah County. Well, we did locate his Sabine's Gull and two less rare gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gull and an early Herring Gull, but we had not gotten my target bird for the day, a Merlin. It was a little early to be seeing our winter raptors, but a couple of Merlins had been seen in Utah in recent days.

Just as we were heading home I caught a glimpse of a falcon perched on a snag near the Spanish Fork River and River Lane. We stopped, took a look through the scope, and realized we had a Merlin in our sights. We u-turned and prepared to take a distant photo when the falcon flew right over our heads. We chased it and captured a few photos as it was flying circles and soaring  higher and higher in the sky. Swallows were forming a united attack in an effort to chase away the bird-eating falcon. I was thinking, "Hello, Merlin!" when I first saw it, but that was soon followed by a goodbye as it soared out of sight.

These are not great photos, but they represent a typical view of a soaring falcon. The broad dark and thinner light tail bands distinguish Merlins from the more typical American Kestrels that are seen throughout Utah. The prominent wrists and pointed wing tips are also characteristic of falcons.

Merlin Being Mobbed by Swallows in Palmyra, UT

Merlin Being Mobbed by Swallows in Palmyra, UT

Merlin Being Mobbed by Swallows in Palmyra, UT

Merlin Being Mobbed by Swallows in Palmyra, UT

Nuthin' But Turkey Vultures

I spent a morning exploring nature on the south end of Utah Lake with my friend Eric Huish a couple Saturdays ago. I could share some nice photos of a number landscapes and birds from that outing, but after spending some time photographing a roost of about 50 Turkey Vultures I decided to dedicate a post to nuthin' but these strange-looking birds. It won't be long before they essentially disappear from Utah as they migrate southward for warmer climes.

This first image shows just a few of the vultures that were spread throughout five or six cottonwood trees. Eric counted at least 46 before many of them flushed and started gliding around the trees and over our heads.

Turkey Vulture Roost in Utah County, UT

Here's a few interesting tidbits about Turkey Vultures. Many people who are not birders refer to them as buzzards. They have wingspans up to 70 inches (well over five feet). They prefer to eat carrion (dead animals). They have quite the immune system because they avoid contracting deadly diseases such as botulism, salmonella, cholera, anthrax, and other diseases that would likely kill other birds and animals. They have a keen sense of smell that allows them to locate carcasses from significant distances. Without experience you might think they were eagles or large hawks when flying. However, once you notice that they hold their wings in a sort of "V" shape and they wobble side to side as they soar and glide you'll pick them out from a mile away, so to speak. They can be found across the United States during the spring, summer, and early fall months. Some remain year round on the California coast and in southern Arizona, some southeastern states, and the east coast of the US, but most will spend their winter months in Mexico, Central, or South America.

I kind of chuckled when I saw these twins perched side by side. I noticed they were always looking in the same direction at the same time. They have hair-dos and hair lines that remind me of the Cornelius character from Planet of the Apes. I first watched that movie as a child back in the late 1960s.

Turkey Vultures in Utah County, UT

I took advantage of the morning light to capture some action shots. It is always amazing to see what a difference a little bit of sunlight can make when working with action shots. These were taken from a distance, but the light allowed me to get a shutter speed that froze the movement well enough to allow significant cropping.

Turkey Vulture Taking Flight From a Large Roost in Utah County, UT

Turkey Vulture Taking Flight From a Large Roost in Utah County, UT

Turkey Vulture Taking Flight From a Large Roost in Utah County, UT

Turkey Vulture Taking Flight From a Large Roost in Utah County, UT

Turkey Vulture Preparing to Land in a Large Roost in Utah County, UT

Turkey Vulture Gliding in to Roost in Utah County, UT

Turkey Vulture Gliding in to Roost in Utah County, UT

This particular bird stretched for about a minute. The branches and leaves that obscure the left wing, in my opinion, keep the image looking real. All of the flight feathers (wings and tail) as well as coverts (covering the base of the flight feathers) are easily seen.

Turkey Vulture Stretching at Large Roosting Site in Utah County, UT

I enjoyed following this vulture as it returned from a couple of circles around the roost.

Turkey Vulture Preparing to Land at Large Roosting Site in Utah County, UT

The wings are used to help provide balance as the vulture lands on a flimsy branch.

Turkey Vulture Landing at Large Roosting Site in Utah County, UT

Turkey Vulture Landing at Large Roosting Site in Utah County, UT

Turkey Vulture Landing at Large Roosting Site in Utah County, UT

Turkey Vulture After Landing at Large Roosting Site in Utah County, UT

Here are a few more Turkey Vulture images from previous encounters. I know they have an important role to play in our world. I am grateful they fulfill that role well, but I'm not eager to get too close to these guys. They represent one of many parts of nature I respect at a distance.

Turkey Vulture Near Santa Clara, UT

Turkey Vulture in Morning Sun at Blue Point Picnic Area Maricopa County, AZ

Turkey Vultures Feasting on Carrion in Springville, UT