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Chickie · 04-14-2008, 01:32 PM

Hi All,

I need help identifying a huge bird I saw on Saturday evening. It was perched atop an oak tree and seemed to have a white head with some white down its breast, as well. My first thought was that it must be an eagle but scrapped that idea when it took off and flew towards me. It actually remained stationary in flight right over my head for several seconds at a time before flying off and then circling back. I thought it was going to swoop down and carry me off! I was able to get a good look at its outstretched wings and underbelly and it had distinct golden colored patterns there. The wing span was huge and was about the size of an eagle. It certainly put on quite a show. It was about an hour before sunset and the sun was shining on it from the west. It may have given the appearance that the head was white while it actually may have been just lighter in color than the rest of its body.

I have done a web search and haven't found a photo which matches it exactly, but I have found something similar in appearance which seems to indicate it was probably a hawk. Have there been sightings of hawks in the area this spring?

Thanks for your help.

04-14-2008, 01:32 PM	#11
Chickie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 371 Thanks: 0 Thanked 68 Times in 39 Posts	Hawk Sighting? Hi All, I need help identifying a huge bird I saw on Saturday evening. It was perched atop an oak tree and seemed to have a white head with some white down its breast, as well. My first thought was that it must be an eagle but scrapped that idea when it took off and flew towards me. It actually remained stationary in flight right over my head for several seconds at a time before flying off and then circling back. I thought it was going to swoop down and carry me off! I was able to get a good look at its outstretched wings and underbelly and it had distinct golden colored patterns there. The wing span was huge and was about the size of an eagle. It certainly put on quite a show. It was about an hour before sunset and the sun was shining on it from the west. It may have given the appearance that the head was white while it actually may have been just lighter in color than the rest of its body. I have done a web search and haven't found a photo which matches it exactly, but I have found something similar in appearance which seems to indicate it was probably a hawk. Have there been sightings of hawks in the area this spring? Thanks for your help.