[leasbirds] Two unidentified
- From: WILLIAM WENTHE <wwenthe@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "leasbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <leasbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 17:26:12 -0700
Hi All,
The doves flushed out of the neighbor's locust tree yesterday (Sat 8/30)
evening about 7:30 as a smallish raptor swooped in and alighted on an inner
branch. I assumed Mississippi Kite, but soon realized it was something else.
I just happened to have my binoculars on the table beside me, and got a good
look at a perching buteo that I am pretty sure was either a young Broad-winged
Hawk or young Swainson's Hawk. It just seemed about the size of a Broadwing,
and had that rounder look to it; though Swainson's would be more likely, I
guess, for the region. It was light, and most noticeable were the very
spade-like (as in ace of spades) brown marks on the chest. Feathers on the
back slightly scalloped on the edges in a buff color. Legs seemed longish,
which feels to me more like Swainson's; but who can tell at the angle I had.
It flew away through the trees, so I never got a look at underwing. A
curiosity.
Also: is there any kind of swift around here besides chimney swifts? There
were swifts the other night at dusk; all I could see even with binocs were
silhouettes. They seemed very like a swift--but not the long narrow wings and
cigar shape of chimney swifts. I'd welcome your thoughts.
Bill Wenthe
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