Dark morph Ferruginous Hawk?

[Andrew Kelley]

I photographed this hawk (obviously just a record shot) at Bosque last week. I am terrible at identifying raptors, but based on a careful study of Sibleys I think this might be a dark morph Ferruginous hawk?

[Dan Brown]

Hi Andrew. I think this is a female or immature Northern Harrier, based mainly on the facial disk that is visable here and the dark brown plumage (adult male would be gray).

[david cramer]

I concur with Dan. You see plenty of female Northern Harriers at Bosque.

[Andrew Kelley]

Thanks Dan and David. Now that you mention it, the facial disk is very pronounced.