Does anybody know what bird this is?

[ShadoWolf0913]

I was outside the other day and came across this bird:

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee4 ... 3e2f1f.jpg

Does anybody know what it could be? I am almost positive it is some kind of eagle or hawk, but I'm not sure. I was not able to get very close before it flew away, but I would estimate that it was maybe 2 feet tall, mostly brown and white, and it was in central New Jersey. Sorry the picture is not all that great, but it flew away before I could get a better one. I am pretty curious what it is, because I have never seen a bird like that around here before. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[The Olive lord]

Hmm well I dont know a lot about birds but I don't think its a eagle, a red tailed hawk maybe.. maybe even a falcon? Wish I could be more help but I'm pretty sure its a hawk of some type...

[ShadoWolf0913]

Hmm well I dont know a lot about birds but I don't think its a eagle, a red tailed hawk maybe.. maybe even a falcon? Wish I could be more help but I'm pretty sure its a hawk of some type...

I thought so too, but it was a pretty big bird, bigger (I think) than a hawk or falcon. It's hard to tell from the picture, but I would estimate that it was at least two feet tall. Of course, I am no bird expert, so I really don't know, but it just seemed more likely it was an eagle...

[The Olive lord]

It's hard to tell from the picture, but I would estimate that it was at least two feet tall.

Exactly why I said hawk, hawks are usually about 2 feet tall when they're full grown. Eagles look much darker then that and don't have a speckled back like that.

[Kivia]

I want to say it's a Red-tailed, but the thing that gets me is the bands on the tail. Makes me wonder if it's a Red-shouldered hawk.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... nwoody.jpg

[ShadoWolf0913]

Oh, well maybe it was a hawk, then. I always thought they were smaller than that, but again, I am in no way an expert. XD

I want to say it's a Red-tailed, but the thing that gets me is the bands on the tail. Makes me wonder if it's a Red-shouldered hawk.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... nwoody.jpg

That could be it...I think the one I saw had more white on it, but I could be remembering wrong. They do look quite similar. Thanks!

[Kivia]

Could you describe the color of it, like the back and the front? It's difficult to tell due to the light in the photograph^^'

And I'm pretty sure it's a hawk- many species are migrating through the area right now. Bald Eagles are around as well, but it doesn't look like juvenile to me.

[ShadoWolf0913]

Could you describe the color of it, like the back and the front? It's difficult to tell due to the light in the photograph^^'

And I'm pretty sure it's a hawk- many species are migrating through the area right now. Bald Eagles are around as well, but it doesn't look like juvenile to me.

I believe it was mostly brown with darker markings and maybe some white on the front, but I am not sure. It flew off pretty fast, so I did not get to have a very close look and I'm afraid I can't give much more detail than that, sorry. :/