1^st Round
(2 Accept, 5 Reject)

2^nd Round
(0 Accept, 7 Reject)

09-09-2006.

Shirley Sturts -- Accept

Some field marks were not mentioned such as the black and white banded tail and the orange barred breast. Also, I could not tell much from the dark pictures. However, the wing pattern and red on the shoulder are diagnostic. Also, the observers are familiar with this species of hawk.

04-25-2007.

Shirley Sturts -- Reject, specific identification not established

After reading the comments from other Committee members, further study of the photograph and report and additional discussion by email, I am changing my vote to Reject. I am no longer convinced that the field marks match those of a Red-shouldered Hawk.

09-16-2006.

Carlisle -- Reject, specific identification not established

I believe the bird in the photos is a 1-yr old (2nd calendar year) intermediate (or rufous) morph Red-tailed Hawk. Immature Red-tails show a distinct white area at the base of the primaries (possibly what was observed in flight) that is larger than the crescent present in Red-shoulders. Swainson's Hawk should have a longer primary projection and a Red-shouldered Hawk should appear more compact than the bird in the photos. Lastly, while the lighting in the photos makes this inconclusive, the chest/belly area appears too densely streaked for any race of (immature) Red-shouldered Hawk.

05-05-2007.

Carlisle -- Reject, specific identification not established

In my opinion, it's a Red-tailed Hawk (see prior comments).

09-17-2006.

Dave Trochlell -- Reject, specific identification not established

I'm not certain which buteo we have here, but it's NOT a Red-shouldered Hawk. Its large bulky shape strongly suggests an immature Swainson's, Red-tailed, or Ferruginous Hawk.

04-26-2007.

Dave Trochlell -- Reject, specific identification not established

Convincing evidence suggests that this bird is actually a Red-tailed Hawk, and I agree with that conclusion.

9-17-06.

Cliff Weisse -- Reject, specific identification not established

I find this report unconvincing for the following reasons:

-Photos look similar to Red-tailed Hawk

-Description of pale patches on wings as "white v-shape on both wings" suggests missing primaries rather than the pale crescents present on Red-shouldered Hawk. Molt timing is correct for juvenile Red-tailed Hawk.

-Habitat is wrong for the species

4/26/07.

Cliff Weisse -- Reject, specific identification not established

The photos are of a bird that is clearly not a Red-shouldered Hawk and likely a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk. Points against Red-shouldered include shape and the belly is more heavily streaked than the breast. All plumages of Red-shouldered have breast more heavily streaked than belly. In addition the pale panels in the wings are described as "v-shape" is consistent with what's expected in a molting bird, not the crescent shaped panels of Red-shouldered Hawk.

9/26/2006.

Charles Swift -- Reject, specific identification not established

I do not believe the bird in the photo is a Red-shouldered Hawk (more likely one of the dark morphs of Swainson's Hawk). The description is not convincing and I am concerned the observers were not aware of the rairity of this species in Idaho when they mention seeing 2 others later the same day. Also the timing, behavior, and habitat are not typical for Red-shouldered Hawk.

5/5/2007.

Charles Swift -- Reject, specific identification not established

I was certain this was not a Red-shouldered and additional information from Cliff convinces me it is a Red-tailed Hawk (I was thinking Swainson's but it was just a guess.)

010-09-2006.

dumroese -- Reject, specific identification not established

This report is somewhat confusing to me, in that 2 birds are being described, but neither bird is well-described. Details on plumage are very weak and the photos, for me, are not definitive.

27 April 2007.

Hardy -- Reject, specific identification not established

My first impression was that the observer's report is lacking in detail. After reading the voting and later comments, I have to agree with Cliff that the photo shows a breast pattern like a Red-tailed, and not a Red-shouldered.

010-11-2006.

Chuck Trost -- Accept

the one photo with red shoulders is convincing. There is no mention of the tail banding, which makes me a bit nervous.

05-06-2007.

chuck trost -- Reject, specific identification not established

The photos were too dark, but they looked more like a juvi Red-tailed to me.