Harlan's Hawk Photos © Bill Schmoker

All photographs copyrighted by the author. Publication-quality 300dpi versions and prints of many of the images contained in this web site are available- inquiries welcomed- email bill@schmoker.org
Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) come in many forms. I particularly enjoy Harlan's Red-tailed Hawks (B. j. harlani) for their striking plumage contrasts and for their migration- visitors from Alaska are always welcome in Colorado! Hope you enjoy these photos!
Many thanks to Brian Wheeler, Jerry Liguori, William S. Clark, Tony Leukering, and Chris Wood for their assistance in identification. Brian Wheeler's outstanding photo guides, Raptors of Western North America and Raptors of Eastern North America have been an invaluable source of photos and text describing the nuances of these birds in all of their ages and color morphs. Another book every raptor lover should have is Jerry Liguori's Hawks from Every Angle:How to Identify Raptors In Flight.
With multiple Red-tailed Hawk subspecies, color morphs, and age classifications, as well as intergrade and aberrant birds, categorizing each is subject to interpretation and opinion. Like people, each individual is unique, which makes them so interesting. I welcome your e-mailed comments on these birds.

Adult light-morph Harlan's Hawk, Boulder County, Colorado, 1/07. (Thanks to Jerry for spotting this one in my Red-tailed Gallery!)

Adult Harlan's Hawk, intermediate morph, Boulder County, Colorado, 12/06.

Juvenile Harlan's Hawk, Boulder County, Colorado, 12/06.

Adult dark morph Harlan's/Western Red-tailed Hawk intergrade (?), Boulder County, Colorado, 3/06. There is some difference of opinion about this bird- maybe a straight-up Harlan's?

Adult dark morph Harlan's/Western Red-tailed Hawk intergrade (?), Boulder County, Colorado, 3/06. (same bird as above)

Adult dark-morph Harlan's Hawk, Boulder County, Colorado, 3/06. Note: same bird as below.

Adult dark-morph Harlan's Hawk, Boulder County, Colorado, 12/05.

Composite photo of an adult light intermediate morph Harlan's Hawk, Boulder County, Colorado, 3/05.

Adult dark-morph Harlan's Hawk, Boulder County, Colorado, 12/04.

Same adult dark-morph Harlan's Hawk taking flight, Boulder County, Colorado, 12/04.

Same adult dark-morph Harlan's Hawk in flight, Boulder County, Colorado, 12/04.

Juvenile dark-morph Harlan's Hawk, Weld County, Colorado 4/7/04. (Note late date.)

Adult dark-morph Harlan's Hawk, Boulder County, Colorado, 2/04.

Adult dark-morph Harlan's Hawk, Weld County, Colorado, 1/04.

Juvenile dark-morph Harlan's Hawk, South Dakota, 12/31/03.

Same juvenile dark-morph Harlan's Hawk, South Dakota, 12/31/03.

Same juvenile dark-morph Harlan's Hawk in flight (dorsal surface), South Dakota, 12/31/03.

Same juvenile dark-morph Harlan's Hawk in flight (ventral surface), South Dakota, 12/31/03.

Spot-breasted dark-morph juvenile Harlan's Hawk, South Dakota, 1/1/04.

Adult light-morph Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk, Weld County, Colorado, 11/1/03.

Another view of the potential Adult light-morph Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk, Weld County, Colorado, 11/1/03.

Juvenile dark-morph Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk, Cherry Creek State Park, Arapahoe County, Colorado, 12/14/02. From William Clark: "(this bird) is a juvenile by pale eye and tail pattern."

Interesting looking juvenile light-morph Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk. From William Clark: "Note the short wings and the clean white and dark (plumage)." Chatfield State Park, Jefferson County, Colorado, 12/7/02.
All photographs copyrighted by the author. Publication-quality 300dpi versions and prints of many of the images contained in this web site are available- inquiries welcomed- email bill@schmoker.org