Next time you see a Red-tailed Hawk look twice! Ponder that there are still mysteries about this common species that when solved will lead us to a greater understanding of its many plumage colors (there are 16 subspecies and some are polymorphic), genetic and ecological associations and even to a better understanding of the dynamics of avian evolution. See this great article by Scott Weidensaul on The Red-tailed Hawk Project a large research collaboration that is working to unravel the mysteries of this abundant raptor. My photos in winter show two different eastern subspecies. Top photo is the Buteo jamaicencis borealis subspecies with a white throat, chest and moderate belly band. The next two birds are the abieticola subspecies with a dark throat, colorful rusty chest and belly band with heavy dark blobs. The Red-tailed Hawk Project is cautiously examining and classifying what are the subspecies. It will be exciting to see what their research comes up with.
