[nealdoan]

First, I apologize for asking for help again, but in this case, the reference materials that I have don't seem to give me the answer. I took these shots this afternoon of a hawk on the Matsqui Trail. I am sure it is a Red-tailed Hawk and I believe it is a Dark Morph, but then some of the materials I have make me wonder if it is a Harlan's. You can not see it well from these photos, but the red tail feathers are there. Perhaps someone could confirm for me one way or the other. Cheers.

Hawk by Neal, on Flickr

Hawk by Neal, on Flickr

[Isaac]

This is actually a Western light/intermediate morph Red-tailed Hawk. It is not dark enough to be a dark-morph (the chest and underwings are too pale), and not dark enough for a dark Harlan's or weird-looking enough for a light Harlan's. This hawk's head is a bit darker brown than usual though, with more brown lower around the neck and throat than usual.

Awesome photos by the way!

Isaac