Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus), Near Barfoot Junction, Chiricahuas, Cochise County

This juvenile Short-tailed Hawk was photographed by Chris Benesh on 08 August 2008.  This may represent the first report of a juvenile at this location this year.

Short-tailed Hawk has recently expanded its range into southern Arizona, and has bred at this location in recent years.  

Short-tailed Hawk is a small buteo with clean underparts lacking much in the way of markings. The buffy wash and fresh plumage are indicative of a juvenile bird. Note heavy banding on tail which is typical of immatures from Mexico, but not those from Florida.

The bird appears much darker in this photograph than it did in life because the photograph was extremely backlit and has been adjusted to show some details in the underparts:

08 August 2008, photo by Chris Benesh

These images show the color of the underparts of this immature bird better:

11 August 2008, photos by Gregory Smith

All photos are copyrighted© by the photographer