Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Rare Swainson's hawk turns up in Brooklyn

There's been a rare and exciting visitor to the city these last few weeks: an immature Swainson's Hawk. This is a bird found in the western United States, and they normally migrate to Central and South America for the winter. For some reason, this one decided to go to Staten Island, and a few weeks later, Brooklyn.

Immature Swainson's Hawk hanging out in Brooklyn.

The hawk has drawn a lot of attention from birdwatchers, and I even met some people who drove all the way from Pennsylvania just to see it. It's a beauty!
 
Immature Swainson's Hawk hanging out in Brooklyn.

Immature Swainson's Hawk hanging out in Brooklyn.

Immature Swainson's Hawk hanging out in Brooklyn.

At first glance, this hawk could be mistaken for an immature Red-Tail, but closer inspection reveals many differences. The Swainson's is slightly smaller, has much more brown streaking on its body, has a dark brown collar on a thick-looking neck, and the wings taper at the ends.

Immature Swainson's Hawk hanging out in Brooklyn.

To compare, this is a photo of an immature Red-Tailed Hawk taken in the same location on one of my visits to the Swainson's. Note how the primary feathers on its wings fan out at the ends like fingers. It also lacks the heavy streaking on the upper chest, and has dark brown patagial marks along the front of its wings.

Immature Red-Tailed Hawk hanging out in Brooklyn.

The Swainson's is a loner among many flocking birds. This has been a typical view of it - perched alone on a building while Fish Crows, Starlings, and Pigeons swarm around it.

Immature Swainson's Hawk hanging out in Brooklyn.

The crows chased it around a few times.

Immature Swainson's Hawk being chased by crows in Brooklyn.

A few crows were more persistent and aggressive than others, dive-bombing the hawk where ever it perched.

Immature Swainson's Hawk being mobbed by a crow in Brooklyn.

Immature Swainson's Hawk being mobbed by a crow in Brooklyn.

The hawk seems very chill, though. As I watched it sit calmly for long periods of time while all the other birds around it created chaos, I learned to relax and just take in all the activity in the sky.

Immature Swainson's Hawk hanging out in Brooklyn.

Immature Swainson's Hawk hanging out in Brooklyn.

Immature Swainson's Hawk hanging out in Brooklyn.

As this hawk has toured Staten Island and Brooklyn, it will be interesting to see if it decides to explore another borough, or migrate back west.

Immature Swainson's Hawk hanging out in Brooklyn.

You can see more photos of this Swainson's Hawk on my Flickr page.

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