J.M.Spencer@newcastle.ac.uk (J.M. Spencer) (08/14/90)
I am researching the redtailed hawk _Buteo jamaicensis_. A number of works from early this century have defined various subspecies of the redtail. For example, in "A Study of _Buteo borealis_, the redtailed hawk, and its varieties in Canada" (Museum Bulletin no. 48, Nov 1927, Canada Dept of Mines) the following are identified:- _Buteo borealis borealis_ (Gmelin), Eastern Redtailed hawk _Buteo borealis calurus_ (Cassin), Western redtailed hawk _Buteo borealis krideri_ Hoopes, Krider's hawk _Buteo borealis harlani_ (Audubon), Harlan's hawk _Butoe borealis alascensis_ Grinell, Alaska redtailed hawk Arthur Bent ("Life Histories of North American Birds of Prey") also identifies a similar number of subspecies. I have also seen people refer to Harlan's hawks in rec.birds. My question is this, how many species of redtail are currently recognised, and what are they called? My interest is that I am a falconer flying a redtail whose parents were imported from Canada and looks like one of Bent's Eastern redtails. Most other redtails in the UK are larger, much darker (sooty), and have *much* bigger feet. I believe them to be Western redtails. Any comments welcome. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sender : Jonathan M Spencer Mail : Computing Lab, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK Phone : +91 222 8229 ARPA : J.M.Spencer%newcastle.ac.uk@cs.ucl.ac.uk JANET : J.M.Spencer@uk.ac.newcastle UUCP : !ukc!newcastle.ac.uk!J.M.Spencer