Where and when was the image made? These two bits of information are really important in making an ID (I see your location but never assume images are made locally as so many of us travel). I'm ignoring the shape of the bird as this can be misleading in a single image. The pattern and colouration suggest juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk (narrow white bands on tail, translucent spots in wings, overall pattern of red) or juvenile Northern Harrier (darkish head, overall pattern of red).
Well its not a Sharpie...lololol..(sorry Roy couldn't resist)....agree with John, narrow white banding on tail, rust coloring on body and underwing coverts...Red-Shouldered. Location would really help here.
Square tail and pointed wings really throw me though.....could be the angle, one of my books (Petersons Field Guide 2008) show a juvenile mississippi kite having squarer shorter tail with banding, pointed wings and this coloration but this is just a long shot.
Rev did you get any other photos, from different angle?
It's a Red-shouldered Hawk. A lot of the fine detail is missing so the breast coloration doesn't come in too well but you can see the black and white barring on the wingtips as well as the bands on the tail.
[quote=Paul Lagasi;238649]Well its not a Sharpie...lololol..(sorry Roy couldn't resist)....agree with John, narrow white banding on tail, rust coloring on body and underwing coverts...Red-Shouldered. Location would really help here.quote]
LOL That was my next guess. I'm not familiar with Red-Shoulders or Broad wings, never seen a wild one of either. I picked Swainson's because to me they can look more falconine (is that a word) than any other broad winged hawk. Also I thought there was a bib showing.
Sorry to take so long getting back. The image was taken at Felsenthal NWR in South Central Arkansas, just north of the Louisiana state line. I've since photographed a Red Shouldered Hawk in the same area and believe it is the same bird. Here is a recent shot of what I believe is the same bird From 04-11-09.