Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis harlani), Tubac, Santa Cruz County

This Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk was discovered and photographed by Ron Friesz on 08 December 2011 near the Tubac Post Office. 

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.

Basically all dark, except for head and upper breast. It suggested a Rough-legged Hawk, but pictures show bare tarus and large feet. The tail was mostly dark with whitish base.

08 December 2011, photo by Ron Friesz

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer