More Red-tailed Hawks

Figure 1 RTHA - white-chested adult with fairly heavy belly band.  Okanagan Landing 3 March 2013. 

This light morph adult has a white chest, fairly strong side of the chest streaking and a fairly heavy belly band. These areas - chest colour and pattern, and extent and heaviness of belly band - are key features I look at when classifying a Red-tailed Hawk. As well, I try to note the darkness of the head, the colour and pattern of the leggings, the colour and pattern of the tail, the darkness and extent of the patagial mark, the colour and patterns of the underwings, the shade of the upperwings and the extent of lightness on the scapulars.

This white-chested, dark belly banded type appears to be common around Vernon.

 Figure 2 shows a close variation on this plumage but with a slightly darker chest and a less heavily marked belly band. Birds of Fig 1 and 2 dominated the Vernon area in the first  half of March this year, probably a normal situation.

Figure 2. Tawny or light brown chested adult with medium belly band. Bella Vista Drive, Vernon 4 March 2013

Figure 3 is an unusual RTHA with a orangey-tinted tan chest and underparts as well as a minimal belly band. Vernon Commonage 4 March 2013.