Big Bird in our Yard - Is it a Red Tail Hawk?

[Lynn Farris]

Saw this magnificent bird of prey in our newly trimmed tree this evening. He was huge. Don took some pictures. I'm not too good with birds - is it a Red Tail Hawk? What is the bump in his belly? Should I worry about my cats? (They won't catch him - but will he catch them?)

Thanks for any information.

[john crino]

I'm not a bird person so I cannot id the bird but I have seen a few of these in my back yard over the last 3 years. Including one time eating a pigion in our driveway. We even kept our pupy inside for a few days b/c the bird was around.

[stephen davis]

It looks like a penguin wearing a hawk mask.

I could be wrong.

Steve

[dl meckes]

Here's an image of an adult red-tail

[Lynn Farris]

John, I'm glad you have had them too - they are pretty interesting.

Steve, we had the same opinion. But penguins don't reside in Lakewood as far as we know

Thanks DL, we actually did think it was a red tail hawk - partially because they are a common bird of prey here. But what is it on his crest that is sticking out?

And are cats safe outside?

Thanks,

Lynn

[stephen davis]

This is a Cooper's Hawk from Bill Davis' photoblog.

We see a lot of these at our house. Great hunters.

They never got our cat, but I've seen them pick up squirrels.

Steve

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

it might be a white bellied sea eagle?

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

white bellied eagles feed on mostly fish, even though they can take down prey that's the size of a swan.

[Sandy Donnelly]

It's a red tail. While the red tail would be the most obvious indicator, the banding across the chest is another. The bump on his belly is actually his foot. Many birds, especially contented ones, perch with one foot raised. (Our parrots sleep like this on one foot.) Hope this helps.