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Zone-tailed Hawk
Buteo albonotatus
Within the United States, the Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) is a species of the southwest. In flight, the species usually soars with its wings slightly tilted upward in a fashion similar to Turkey Vultures. To watch a Zone-tailed Hawk drop from a soaring flock of vultures onto an unexpecting prey item is quite a spectacle. The shot of the hawk against the blue sky was taken in Tucson, Arizona, in April, 2003. The shot of the bird in flight against a backdrop of pine trees was taken in the Davis Mountains of west Texas in June, 2005. The first shot was a digital capture with a Canon EOS 10D and an EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender. The second shot was with the same lens and extender, but with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II body.
The 2 shots shown here show a moulting Zone-tailed Hawk in flight as it was cruising over the North Llano River, 25 mi E of Sonora, Sutton Co., Texas, in June, 2007. These shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 500mm F/4.5 L IS lens and 1.4X extender.