Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus), Catalina Mountains-Aspen Trail, Pima County

This Short-tailed Hawk was found by Mark Stevenson on 26 August 2017 and photographed by Chris McCreedy on 27 August 2017 and by Steve Valasek on 3 September 2017

Short-tailed Hawk has been expanding its range northward and increasing in Arizona for the last several years and it has bred. Likely returning bird to the Santa Catalina Mountains where there has been a pair in recent years. It is uncertain if more than one individual is involved.

Nearly pure white underparts including chin & throat and underwing linings. Dark brown crown & auriculars with white chin giving helmeted appearance. Whitish base to black tipped primaries. Secondaries progressively darker to broad black band at tips.

27 August 2017, photo by Chris McCreedy

3 September 2017, photo by Steve Valasek

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