Need a Raptor ID

[NorthernFocus]

I was out at the local refuge trying to get few images of geese and cranes while the leaves and birds are still here. The leaves are at perfect peak color but most of the birds have already gone south. While I was there some sort of hawk(?) came into the field to hunt. It dove at a few ducks but didn't pursue them when they flew. Then a raven attacked it and it turned the tables. After the raven beat its retreat, the hawk saw me (hunkered down in camo) and came to have a look. Circled a couple of times but unfortunately was almost directly overhead.

I'm not bird expert and would appreciate if anyone knows what this guy is. I've looked at a few on-line guides but they only had images of perched birds which didn't do me much good. The body seems too slight and the wings too long for any of the descriptions that I read. Judging by its size relative to the raven I'd say the wingspan was 24-30 inches. It's back was kind of slate grey.

Nikon D300
Nikkor 200-400 VR
1/1000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso500 (all shots)

http://www.pbase.com/drr1531/image/102752812.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/drr1531/image/102752810.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/drr1531/image/102752811.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/drr1531/image/102752809.jpg

[Cato]

Terrific shots! Wow...

I wish I knew what kind of hawk it is... maybe a rough-legged hawk? Closest I could find at whatbird.com.

[Maestro]

Nice interaction shots and bifs in nice light. I am fairly positive that is a northern harrier, probably a male if it had the gray back.

[Docdpp]

Hi,

I'm a licensed falconer with quite a few reference books on raptors. I beleive it is a Northern Harrier. With the lighting it is hard to tell if it is a mature bird or immature; male or female.

Nice picts.

That's my best quess,

Docdpp

I was out at the local refuge trying to get few images of geese and cranes while the leaves and birds are still here. The leaves are at perfect peak color but most of the birds have already gone south. While I was there some sort of hawk(?) came into the field to hunt. It dove at a few ducks but didn't pursue them when they flew. Then a raven attacked it and it turned the tables. After the raven beat its retreat, the hawk saw me (hunkered down in camo) and came to have a look. Circled a couple of times but unfortunately was almost directly overhead.

I'm not bird expert and would appreciate if anyone knows what this guy is. I've looked at a few on-line guides but they only had images of perched birds which didn't do me much good. The body seems too slight and the wings too long for any of the descriptions that I read. Judging by its size relative to the raven I'd say the wingspan was 24-30 inches. It's back was kind of slate grey.

Nikon D300
Nikkor 200-400 VR
1/1000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso500 (all shots)

http://www.pbase.com/drr1531/image/102752812.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/drr1531/image/102752810.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/drr1531/image/102752811.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/drr1531/image/102752809.jpg

[NorthernFocus]

You're the second person who had ID'd it at a northern harrier. My best guess looking at birding guides was a sharp-shinned hawk. The coloring underneath looked more like the sharp-shinned and it looks like it has dark eyes and a harrier's eyes are supposed to be yellow :scratch

But if I knew I wouldn't be asking. Being as how it was photographed in Fairbanks how about we go with a FAR Northern Harrier :dunno

[Ann McRae]

Articblooms, these are beautiful shots. I think I agree on the northern harrier ID - the round face is the give away. Your third shot really makes me think that is what it is.

ann

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks, Ann. The head/face do look small compared to the hawks I'm familiar with from the southeastern US. Plus it hunted much closer to the ground. Red-tailed/shouldered hawks that I've seen soar high above a field. This guy cruised along about 30-50 feet in the air and made quick cuts when it saw something. I didn't see it catch anything.

[dbaker1221]

excellent shot s Dan:ivar I agree with the others ...harrier

[jonh68]

Nice shots! I think it's a harrier too. The round markings around the face give it away, also making it look like an owl from some angles.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks, guys.

[Cygnus Studios]

Definately a Northern Harrier. By the markings it appears to be a juvenile.

Excellent capture.

A great site for Raptors (http://www.pbase.com/imagestruck/raptors)