I see no orange on this bird, either. I thought, first thing, "Crested Caracara," then "Northern Goshawk," based on its overall coloring and the habitat. The habitat seems wrong for a Caracara, but we had one visiting us in redwood country not long ago, eating at several deer carcasses along Highway One and the bird appeared several weeks later (assuming it was the same one) in Oregon. . . While a Northern Goshawk *would* be feathered farther down on the legs, take a closer look at this photo, then turn to page 190 in the NGFG, and check out the feathering on the legs of the Goshawk (imm) in the painting: the feathers are farther down, yes, but they are sweeping back, as in the bird in the photo. A Northern Goshawk *would* go after prey as large as a squirrel. I sincerely doubt a Cooper's would take prey that large. . .

I know the pics don't give any idea as to size, but I appeared to be a good bit smalle than the red tails I've seen soaring, and didn't seem to glide or soar the same as the red tails do, if that makes sense, I was wondering if it could be a Mississippi kite? Also, there were three of them soaring around together,idk if that is helpful. I do see lots of red tails, their is a nesting pair Near my neighborhood and I see them both all the time, they are city hawks, lol, very well could be a red tail! Thanks

Thanks Sterna I was amazed at how big he was for some reason I thought they were smaller I guess he must have been flying low

That seems right. Thanks! It did look like a white bird when it was flying, so I was surprised at how blue-grey the one photo I managed to get turned out--white tailed kite would explain that.