Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis harlani), Glendale Recharge Ponda, Maricopa County

This Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk was discovered and photographed by Tommy DeBardeleben on 27 November 2011 soaring overhead of Basin 2 of the Glendale Recharge Ponds.

Harlan's Hawk has been considered a full species at different times (1829-1895 and 1957-1973), but it is now treated as a subspecies of the widespread Red-tailed Hawk. It breeds in Alaska and northwest Canada and winters throughout the western half of the continent. Uncommon throughout its winter range, it is apparently rare in Arizona. But, since it is now treated as a subspecies and because it can be difficult to identify, it is rarely reported and its status in the state is uncertain.

The dark trailing edge to the wing indicates an adult. The whitish tail with a dark, indistinct terminal band in an adult is classic Harlan's. Other supporting features for Harlan's include the overall blackish coloration with no brown tones,  the white streaking on the upper chest and the barring of the primaries.

27 November 2011, photos by Tommy DeBardeleben