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Birding/Bird of Prey Identification

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 12/30/2010


Question
I have recently noticed a large bird of prey flying around my land that I have never seen before. It is a large dark brownish bird with a thick white band at the base of its tail, the rest of the tail being the color of the bird. Every time I see it, it is gliding rather fast 15 or so feet above the ground all around the hilly, uncut hay fields. I have chickens and the bird has not attempted to attack them even when they are in plain sight. I am located on the NC VA line in a rural agricultrual area. I have seen Red Tails, Bald Eagles, and other birds plenty but this is a first for me. The size looks comparable to a Red Tail, maybe a little bigger, but not as big as an Eagle. Can you identify this bird from the details I've given? Thank you.

Answer
I wish I could help you, but that is not enough information. Many hawks look alike at a distance, and there are several subspecies. The Redtail has a very dark phase and it hunts like that. If you have a library or a bookstore near you they should have books with hawk pictures. Good luck.

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Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.

Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.

Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.

Past/Present Clients
Many

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