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What kind of raptor is hanging around?

15 years ago

I have seen it maybe 4 times in the past 2 weeks. I have a very tiny new puppy so I am keeping my eye on the sky when I have her out.

I first saw the bird flying fast and low, about 10 feet high, across the yard. Looked like a Cooper or a Sharpie but bigger.

Then next time was a few days later and it was in a big tree about 400 feet from me being mobbed by crows. I couldn't get a glass on it.

Then later that day I was out with the puppy and saw a very large hawk shaped bird sitting in that same tree, I turned to go in to get a pair of glasses and he flew, fairly low making a "scree scree scree" noise. Had a narrow tail and that's about all I could see.

And yesterday about dusk it again flew out of another tree, making that same Scree scree noise as it flew.

I have seen bald eagles as well as an osprey sitting in that tree. We have the occasional Cooper;s hawk and a sharp shinned hawk...but this bird sure looks a lot bigger than either of them.

It's the noise while flying that has me puzzled. Never saw a raptor do that before.

Any ideas?

Linda C

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Comments (3)

User
15 years ago
Juvenile hawks will make all kinds of noise, hoping a parent will feed them.

Red-tail hawks are the most vocal when flying - and a high-pitche sdreech is one of their favorite noises.

http://www.junglewalk.com/sound/hawk-sounds.htm Take a listen

Here is a link that might be useful: hawk sounds
lindac
Original Author
15 years ago
This is no juvenal crying to be fed....but by your link I think there is no doubt it's a redtail...but I also think there is a harrier hawk around too.
I'll be watching for it now, so perhaps I can get a good look at it.
But mean while I'm keeping a close eye on my tiny puppy.
Thanks for your help.
Linda C
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tmff
13 years ago
I see you're in IA. My advice is to Google red-shouldered hawks. They can be mistaken for Cooper's hawks or Sharpies due to the orange-barred chest. They are usually a very vocal hawk. They're not huge- just about red-tail size- but they will appear bigger than a Cooper's hawk and especially bigger than a Sharpie.

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