Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus), Tucson , Pima County

This Short-tailed Hawk appeared to be returning for its third winter to the same Tucson neighborhood .  It was first seen this year by David Stejskal on 2 November 2009 near the intersection of Ridgeway and E. Seneca St and was photographed by David on 03 December 2009 near the intersection of Grant and Wilmot rds..

Although this bird is now in its third winter, it is interesting to note that it has retained much of the upper breast streaking and buffy underparts that it had last winter and has still not acquired full adult plumage. Little is known about the progression of molts in Short-tailed Hawks. 

03 December 2009, photos by David Stejskal

07 March 2010, photo by Moez Ali

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