I posted this photo a few days ago, and I didn’t know what kind of bird it was. I thought maybe a red-shouldered hawk, but the details weren’t quite right. A couple of friends had thought maybe a Cooper’s hawk or a red-tailed hawk. I contacted a birder, and he thought maybe a broad-shouldered hawk or a red-shouldered hawk, but said it was difficult with juveniles. A reader/internet friend suggested a sparrow hawk. Obviously, his identification is not obvious!
Well. My neighbor put a photo on Facebook, and identified it as a Prairie Falcon. I looked up some photos, and Patti, I think you’re right! They are considered rare in this part of Minnesota, as they are a western bird. I’m sure he was migrating and that’s why we got a look at him in April.
Thank you, everybody. That was fun!
