Goshawks- Tucson- Dec.2006

8 December 2006
I received my license to operate a nonprofit organization - Common Northern Goshawk.

10 December 2006 11:30 am. Agua Caliente Park
1 immature NG; perched on telephone pole, at Roger's Rd. and Soldier Trail Rd. I call this bird female. I only saw the bird perched, from the right flank. The bird was a long-tailed female. The streaking went toward the under tail. I did not see the under tail coverts. 1 photo was taken at 12x. The bird flew overhead, and had distinct black and white patterning on the under wings. The patterning was consistent throughout, in other words the under wing coverts could not be delineated from the primary feathers. The under wings had no buff-coloring. The base of the tail was broad. The wing tips were pointed (in a glide). The leading edge and trailing edges were somewhat 'S' shaped. The wings were strong and bulky (and because of the glide), the wings appeared of medium length. The bird flew with with rapid, stiff, wing beats; wing beats were deep. The wing beats appeared Cooper's-like, however when the bird soared, the wings were cocked foward. EOB 100 feet. OT- perched- 1 minute; flying, 3 minutes. the bird went down into Agua Caliete property. This was my second trip to Agua Caliente; on both trips, I have seen NG.
Please note: After analyzing the photo - this bird must have been a male.
When I consider the sides of the telephone pole and its diameter, and the negative space relating to the top of the pole ( and how this bird did not fit into this negative space); and looking at female Cooper's, perched on poles, and Red-Tailed Hawks perched on poles; this bird appears to be the size of a female Cooper's. Because of the long wings of the bird as it flew over head; I thought the bird was female.