Photo Details
1. June 5,
2005 - 2. September 17,
2004 - 3., 4. August 11, 2004 - Burriston Pond area,
Juab County,
Utah
©NJDavis
5. Intermediate adult - April 18, 2005 - Moroni, Sanpete County,
Utah
©Sean Breazeal
Description
L 19, WS 51, Long tail, Dark
Remiges, Long pointed wings, hunts small mammals and insects in
grassland
1., 3 and 4
are
dark or dark intermediate morphs. 2. Light Morph 5. Intermediate
adult
A Swainson's
Hawk's
wings are generally longer than the tail or at
least as long as the tail. Since this is variable it isn't an
absolutely reliable field mark. Subadults may even have wingtips
slightly shorter than tail tip. Adults have dark brown irises and
a yellow cere. Notice the legs are not feathered and the
feet are small for the size of the bird allowing it to easily perch on
wires. The bird looks slender and elegant perched and in flight.
Perches upright, falcon-like and alert...The tail has a wide black
subterminal band and the wings are long and pointed.
Wingbeats are deep and loose similar to Harriers.
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