[T.D.C.]

Driving the interstate in a rural wooded area. I spotted a raptor profiled bird that was high in a roadside tree waiting for squirrel ala' Buick. I was a rather bright white and had lateral stripes (3 or 4) on it sides. It was 16 to 18 in height and a rather full body. It was the middle of the afternoon. This is the best I can see at 75 MPH.

I frequently see birds of prey waiting for an easy meal at the roadside trees, but nothing this distinct.

Any idea what it might be?

 

[Quigley]

Bird

I'm thinking osprey. unless it's some kinda owl I've never seen.

 

[Greyfox]

The 75 mph thing may have a lot to do with it. I'm guessing the bright white was the chest and belly, which, in the sun, stands out. Also, this will depend on the angle. I will make the call a Red Tail Hawk. The size is right. They are everywhere in the country in all seasons. The hunting location high in the tree fits. Red tails have a belly band, more distinct in some birds than others and can give the impression of lateral stripes. Without a pic, that would be my (and my wife's) best guess.

Rick

 

[lightman]

A Red Tailed Hawk would be my guess. I got a picture the other day of an Eagle sitting in a Cypress tree in a local slough with a Hawk sitting on a lower limb. It was a little bit distant for the camera in my phone but I thought it was cool.

 

[T.D.C.]

Rick, you are talking sun in Erie this time of year? It is harder to find than chicken lips.

I get a kick out of the raptors that stalk the interstate for a meal. They are pretty prevalent around here.

Teh blue ones seem to be a Wal-Mart specie.

 

[Greyfox]

Rick, you are talking sun in Erie this time of year? It is harder to find than chicken lips.

I get a kick out of the raptors that stalk the interstate for a meal. They are pretty prevalent around here.

Teh blue ones seem to be a Wal-Mart specie.

I get where you are coming from. Actually, it is much the same in Middle TN. I should have said glare rather than sunshine, but my opinion would still be a Red tail. The Blue ones feeding near the interstate could well be Merlins.

Rick

 

[JRinKY]

A post mortem exam sounds in order to me.
Jest sayin....

 

[Greyfox]

A post mortem exam sounds in order to me.
Jest sayin....

It worked pretty well for Audubon. Just sayin...

Rick

 

[damonkeydobad]

Sounds like a Barred Owl they hunt as much during the day as at night and do like to hang out near roads for easy meals.

 

[llg]

In Kentucky

I too would guess Red Tailed Hawk or a Coopers Hawk. The Red Tailed has a reddish brown tail about 6" long that they flare out when slowing decent in attack mode. The Coopers Hawk tail is barely visible and runs to a point.

Both have white bellies and are very easily spotted sitting in a tree sunning.

Several years ago, maybe 35, someone killed about 20 red tailed hawks and hung them across a road about 20' high. It was a senseless waste. Fish and Game had a major fit, but never found out who did it. Hard to find Red Tails now; Coopers are more common.