Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis harlani), Arlington, Maricopa County

This Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk was photographed by Pierre Deviche on 05 March 2011.  This bird has been seen repeatedly in past few months by multiple observers and apparently has been present at the same location during several previous winters.

Appears to be a rare but regular winter visitor.  Probably underreported because it is difficult to identify and because subspecies are often overlooked.  Light phase is extremely rare anywhere. 

Typical Red-tailed Hawk body shape and size. Dark border on flight feathers indicate that it is an adult.  Crisp black and white underparts with little brown/rufous. Back is dark blackish, mottled with white. Tail pale, with just a bit of dark toward tip.

05 March 2011, photo by Pierre Deviche