Expert: Julia Booth - 1/31/2010

Question
I read a post online about a man who described to you a bird he saw out the window.  I believe this was in 2008.  He said the bird had a white head like a bald eagle and brown wings with white speckles and an orange/redish color breast.  He said it was a large bird probably about the size of a hawk. You didn't identify this bird for sure.  I have a picture of a bird that looks exactly like this bird he described.  I photographed it on Sanibel Island, Florida in July of 2009.  The bird was in a tree and then flew to another tree.  The picture is online at vbturnerphotography.zenfolio.com.  I would like to exactly identify this bird when I sell the photo.  I believe it is a hawk, but it does have a white head like an eagle.  There are hawks, ospreys, and bald eagles on the island.  Could you go to the site and look at the picture and tell me what you think.  I appreciate your help.  The bird was alone, in a tree.  He was quiet and it was late afternoon when I saw it.  You may see how he perched and the shape of his beak and the color of his legs in the picture on my website.  I have looked at birds all over the internet trying to find out exactly what this bird is, if it is a hawk, what kind.  This may help to solve the mystery of the man's bird he saw out his window, too.  Thank you.

Answer
I'm not sure what other post you're referring to.

But that appears to be a Red-Shouldered Hawk. Florida has its own variation of this species, which has a paler head than those found in other parts of the country.

Here's a good gallery for reference: http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840/redshouldered_hawk

Hope this helps,

Julia.