I'm thinking this is an abieticola subspecies since it has the heavy belly band. What do others think? Since it's been so cold we've seen a lot of birds that are not seen often in Alabama.
This one seen today in north Alabama.
Red-tailed Hawk
-
AveryF
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:29 am
- Location: Tennessee
- Has thanked: 10 times
- Been thanked: 38 times
- Contact:
Re: Red-tailed Hawk
It being an immature complicated things a little bit, but if I saw that bird I’d immediately by thinking abieticola. Heavy belly streaking, as well as heavily marked underwings. I’d submit it as a northern and see what the reviewer thinks, but I feel good about that bird as a northern.
Life - 669: Willow Ptarmigan, Black-billed Magpie, Cassin’s Finch
Tennessee - 340: Black-capped Chickadee, Ruffed Grouse, Green-tailed Towhee
Rutherford - 253: Swallow-tailed Kite, Mississippi Kite, Black-bellied Plover
Photo/Audio - 617/359
Tennessee - 340: Black-capped Chickadee, Ruffed Grouse, Green-tailed Towhee
Rutherford - 253: Swallow-tailed Kite, Mississippi Kite, Black-bellied Plover
Photo/Audio - 617/359
-
Hooded Robin
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2026 2:15 pm
- Has thanked: 140 times
- Been thanked: 147 times
Re: Red-tailed Hawk
Another vote for abieticola - not quite as distinctly marked as the ones I usually see but dense belly band getting wider at the flanks, dark patagials, dark head and throat with some dribbling.
Only a dozen or so reports in my Ontario county but tagged as rare so almost certainly very under reported.
I see there are reports way down south - the one for Hornsby Bend, Texas has a lot of detail.
Only a dozen or so reports in my Ontario county but tagged as rare so almost certainly very under reported.
I see there are reports way down south - the one for Hornsby Bend, Texas has a lot of detail.
Last edited by Hooded Robin on Sun Feb 08, 2026 1:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Red-tailed Hawk
Welcome to the forum KTH! May I ask if you where a member of whatbird before the recent crash?KTH wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:36 pm I'm thinking this is an abieticola subspecies since it has the heavy belly band. What do others think? Since it's been so cold we've seen a lot of birds that are not seen often in Alabama.
This one seen today in north Alabama.
-
KTH
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2026 10:26 pm
- Location: Alabama
- Has thanked: 131 times
- Been thanked: 148 times
Re: Red-tailed Hawk
Yes. I didn't post a whole lot, was heme42. Also, still learning this new site.Kevin wrote: Sun Feb 08, 2026 1:06 pmWelcome to the forum KTH! May I ask if you where a member of whatbird before the recent crash?KTH wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:36 pm I'm thinking this is an abieticola subspecies since it has the heavy belly band. What do others think? Since it's been so cold we've seen a lot of birds that are not seen often in Alabama.
This one seen today in north Alabama.
Re: Red-tailed Hawk
Yes, I think most of us had a bit of an adjustment here on a new platform.KTH wrote: Sun Feb 08, 2026 10:03 pmYes. I didn't post a whole lot, was heme42. Also, still learning this new site.Kevin wrote: Sun Feb 08, 2026 1:06 pmWelcome to the forum KTH! May I ask if you where a member of whatbird before the recent crash?KTH wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:36 pm I'm thinking this is an abieticola subspecies since it has the heavy belly band. What do others think? Since it's been so cold we've seen a lot of birds that are not seen often in Alabama.
This one seen today in north Alabama.
