Can you identify this Hawk?

Birding Challenge

By: Bob Danley

Perch tree in September. Habitat: riparian and grassland.  Geography: Bitterroot Valley (western Montana). Sighting conditions: cloudy, snow on ground, January

Exhibits thick and chunky GISS (general impression size and shape). Has short, wide tail (relative to body) with wingtip length nearing tail tip.

Typical buteo silhouette matches bird

My rig: Canon 90D with 70-300 mm lens. Use with tripod or vehicle window as support (this case) for sharpest photos.

take photos for home review of sighting

After processing, note the subtle colors and patterns revealed of previously dark, shaded areas.  Still, the bird is mostly dark colored...clearly a dark morph hawk 

shoot photos in raw format for photoshop et al processing

Which dark morph Buteo species has this tail color and pattern?

Grey ventral tail feathers with wide, wavy black barring

Note bluish bill with some white smudging on feathered base. No distinct patterns apparent from this angle.

upper body mostly blackish, with small light brown areas

Distinct white markings now visible on either side of bill. Perfect example for being patient in observation and recording an image with camera for later review.

White "crow's foot" markings at base of bill

Distinct yellow legs are without feathers. This field mark alone eliminates this bird being a Rough-legged or Ferruginous Hawk. 

yellow featherless legs

Why not  Rough-legged or Ferruginous?

rough-legged

Ferruginous

Feathered legs

Yes, down to toes

Face

White mask at base of bill

Tail

Ventral has wide dark band at tip

Conclusion

The pictured bird is a dark morph Red-tailed Hawk. What particular subspecies and/or age is for another web story.

Feathered legs

Yes, down to toes

Face

Large yellow bill and gape

Tail

Ventral lacks barring at any age and morph

Hawk identification  - references -