Adult Swainson's HawkAdult Swainson’s Hawk – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Red-tailed Hawks have the most variable plumages of North American hawks but Swainson’s Hawks are also pretty variable, there are light morphs, intermediate morphs and dark morphs. These images show two different Swainson’s Hawks, one adult in flight, one sub-adult perched on a post.

Look at those longs legs!

Sub-adult Swainson's HawkLight morph Swainson’s Hawk – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/320, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Then there are the varying juvenile and sub-adult plumages too. The bird shown above is a light morph 1st year bird, or a sub-adult. I think the nearly white head is interesting.

Both of these birds were photographed last week in Montana.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Swainson’s Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.