Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus), Upper Carr Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, Cochise County

This Short-tailed Hawk was discovered and photographed by James Smith on 01 August 2008 in Upper Carr Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains.  This bird is a light phase adult or near adult. Images taken through 8 x 42 Leica binoculars using Canon Powershot A560 camera. The bird was seen well by group of 16 birders.

Short-tailed Hawk is a recent invader from Western Mexico into the state.  Almost all of the documented sightings of this small Buteo have come from the "Sky Islands" of Southeast Arizona between late March and mid-October. It was first documented in 1999 in the Huachucas and has nested in the Chiricahuas. 

Like Swainson's Hawk, light morph Short-tailed Hawk has dark flight feathers that contrast with the lighter coverts of the underwing.  However, Swainson's Hawk has a dark upper chest whereas Short-tailed Hawk has entirely white underparts. 

Submitting photos to AZFO does not constitute reporting a rare bird for consideration as an official record. To ensure that a record becomes official, details or photos of Sketch Details Species should be sent to the Editors of North American Birds and a full report of Review Species should be submitted to the Arizona Bird Committee. Most rare birds are under _documented and subsequent observers of a rarity are always encouraged to submit reports and additional photos, especially for birds that are challenging to identify.

01 August 2008, photos by James Smith