Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis harlani), Kansas Settlement, Cochise County

This adult dark morph Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk was photographed by Tom Ryan on 28 February 2009 in the Kansas Settlement area south of Willcox. 

The Harlan's subspecies of Red-tailed Hawk was formerly considered a separate species.  Although thought to be a perhaps regular winter visitor in Arizona, it is difficult to identify and is rarely documented.

Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk can be confused easily with dark morph of Western Red-tailed Hawk.  The first thing to notice on this bird is the strong dark trailing edge to the wing indicating it is an adult.  The overall black and white color is very good for Harlan's.  Usually dark Western Red-tails are a warmer, chocolate brown which is rare in Harlan's.  Also good for Harlan's is the extensive barring of the outer primary tips and the lack of a "secondary bulge."  The tail pattern of Harlan's Hawk is one of the most variable plumage features of any bird.  This bird's tail is within that range of variation and would be atypical for an adult dark Western Red-tail, which would usually be redder, less barred and lack the terminal band.  Western Red-tails also usually have rufous tips to the undertail coverts which this bird lacks.  One of the best marks for adult Harlan's, in addition to the overall black and white color tones, is usually the presence of some white streaking on the upper breast.  This bird lacks that streaking, which is uncommon for Harlan's, but not unheard of.   On balance the features of this bird are most consistent with Harlan's. 

 

28 February 2009, photo by Tom Ryan

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