Swainson's Hawk

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Swainson's Hawk
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3082 W: 231 N: 5811] (19540)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-11-04
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-04-25 17:55
Viewed: 502
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Swainson's Hawk
Buteo swainsoni

Buse de Swainson (French)
Aguilucho Langostero, Gavilán Longostero, Aguililla de Swainson (Spanish)

A common small hawk of the West, the Swainson's Hawk gathers in huge congregations to migrate more than 10,000 km to its wintering grounds in South America.

Description:
Medium-sized hawk.
Body stout.
Wings broad.
Rounded tail medium-long.
Dark flight feathers contrast with pale inner wing.
Dark chest band.
Tail light with multiple thin dark bands, one darker and broader near tail tip.
Face white.
Size: 48-56 cm (19-22 in)
Weight: 693-1367 g (24.46-48.26 ounces)
Sexes similar in plumage, female larger.

Sound:
Call a high-pitched, long drawn out raspy "kreeeee."

Conservation Status:
Declining throughout much of its range. Vulnerable to pesticide poisoning, especially on its wintering grounds. The use of pesticides in Argentina was responsible for the deaths of nearly 6,000 Swainson's Hawks in 1995 and 1996.

Cool Facts:

The Swainson's Hawk, declining throughout much of its range, is vulnerable to pesticide poisoning, especially on its wintering grounds. The use of pesticides in Argentina was responsible for the deaths of nearly 6,000 Swainson's Hawks in 1995 and 1996.
Swainson's Hawk chicks frequently kill and eat the youngest nestlings. The killing of siblings may be related to food availability, but the ultimate cause is unknown.
The Swainson's Hawk congregates in tremendous numbers during migration. Foraging and migrating flocks sometimes number into the thousands.
Swainson's Hawk has one of the longest migrations of any American raptor - from Canada to Argentina. Only tundra breeding Peregrine Falcons travel farther. A Swainson's Hawk can make the 10,000 km trip (6214 mi) in less than two months, averaging nearly 200 km (124 mi) per day.

Source
angela926, loot, darwin, Gert-Paassen, inked, earthtraveler, gannu has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Manyee,
Very nice shot. Great details and sharpness.
TFS
Wei

Hello Manyee,
excellent capture, Fantastic sharpness and
depth of field, beautiful natural colors and
terrific light, great pose and eye
contact.
Angela

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5633 W: 594 N: 3202] (8699)
  • [2008-04-25 19:47]

Hi ManYee

Aaaah, the comeback beauty and this one surely won't fly away. It's a WOW capture.

Excellent sharp details show every fine detail of this bird's plumage and facial particulars. Great colour rendition and contrasts further aids in the visual stimulus. The OOF and removed BG compliment the Hawk and make it stand out beautifully in the frame and those big dark eyes gives this shot an added plus factor.

Well done and TFS
Regards.
Loot

  • Great 
  • darwin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 249 W: 0 N: 447] (1688)
  • [2008-04-25 22:07]

Hi Manyee
Fantastic portrait
Stunning details specially the eyes
Great background color brings out the natural color tones of the hawks feathers
Wonderful shot. tfs jon

Hello Manyee,

Nicely portrait of this bird, ood pov and sharpness.
Beautiful colors with nice BG.

Gert

  • Great 
  • inked Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 125 W: 0 N: 214] (634)
  • [2008-04-25 22:40]

Hi Manyee,
superb portrait of this hawk. perfectly focused on his face. great details and sharpness. really nicely done. tfs
Gethin

Hi Manyee, Very nice portrait of this hawk. Lovely plumage and eye detail. Fine colorful BG bokeh. Well done! Tfs Richard

Hello Manyee,
Beautiful portrait with an excellent POV and sharp details. Great natural colours. Good DOF and BG.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 729 W: 4 N: 1811] (8608)
  • [2008-04-26 3:43]

Hello Manyee,
Very nice eye catch and great sharpness in the shot. Superb view and focus. Ganesh

Hello Manyee,
Nicely done. Beautiful Hawk portrait. Fascinating eyes.
TFS and good weekend.
Annick

Hello manyee, Whom it is staring? Excellent note and good clarity. Sharp focus WEll done Vignesh

Hi, Beautiful close-up. Nice daring look.

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1266 W: 103 N: 4311] (19463)
  • [2008-05-08 7:07]

Hello Manyee! Wow that's a fine portrait of this hawk! , Very sharp and well exposed, well done again my friend! Thanks,

Mario

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