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Bob Moul | profile | all galleries >> STRAYS, ABERRANTS AND ODDITIES >> LEUCISTIC RED-TAILED HAWK tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

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LEUCISTIC RED-TAILED HAWK

Buteo jamaicensis

LEUCISTIC

"THE GHOST BIRD"

Although very near to being a true Albino, this hawk is known as an LEUCISTIC Red-tailed Hawk.
A true Albino would have not only all white feathers but pink bill, eyes and feet.

I first saw this hawk back in March of 2005 in this same area of Adams County. I never saw it in the
summer months but it would appear again in the fall of 2005 and now again in 2006. Much more wary
than the normal Red-tailed Hawk it was almost impossible
to get any decent photos of it.
On November 5th, 2006 I spotted it perched in a dead tree along the Peepytown Road as I drove past.
I turned around so I could get a better view of it as I approached from the opposite direction
and snapped a few shots from my car before it flew.

"2007"

November 8, 2007-Once again the Leucistic/Albino Red Tailed Hawk has "returned" to the
Peepytown Road/Conewago Creek area.I found it today perched in it's favorite tree. This will
be the fourth consecutive season the hawk has made it's home in this area.

"2008"

December 22, 2008-I found the "Ghost Bird" once more along the Conewago Creek near the bridge
on Peepytown Road. This is the fifth consecutive winter it has taken up residence in this area.
I am still not sure where it goes in the summer months but I have not seen it since last winter.

"2009"

Saw the Ghost bird-April 5, 2009

September 21, 2009-Today was as close as it has ever allowed me to approach.
I got this shot from my vehicle as the "Ghost Bird" perched in a tree by the roadside.

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Red-tailed Hawk-September 2009
Red-tailed Hawk-September 2009		 Red-tailed Hawk-December 2008
Red-tailed Hawk-December 2008		 Red-tailed Hawk-December 2008
Red-tailed Hawk-December 2008
Red-tailed Hawk-December 2008
Red-tailed Hawk-December 2008		 Red-tailed Hawk-November 2007
Red-tailed Hawk-November 2007		 Red-tailed Hawk-November 2006
Red-tailed Hawk-November 2006
Red-tailed Hawk-November 2006
Red-tailed Hawk-November 2006		 Red-tailed Hawk-November 2006
Red-tailed Hawk-November 2006		 Red-tailed Hawk-November 2006
Red-tailed Hawk-November 2006
Red-tailed Hawk-November 2006
Red-tailed Hawk-November 2006

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Guest 04-Aug-2018 21:11
I think this is an Ino Hawk look at talons and beak ...... white ..... eye is the only color
Steve Salyer 22-Apr-2018 20:08
We have had one all winter south of Stockton Mo. It's now the end of April and I haven't seen it for a couple months
Terri 26-Mar-2016 18:20
We have one at the Wildlife Rescue Center where I volunteer here in Arizona. She has been with us for several years because she failed to thrive in the wild and had to be rescued several times when she became weak from starvation. She is now an energetic, healthy, personable education bird at the center. When she was younger, she had several darker feathers scattered among the white ones but with each molt they became more sparse and now she is completely white. The red-tail featured in these photos has a much paler beak than the one we have whose beak is a darker yellow as are the legs and talons. It's difficult to see the color of this birds eyes. However, the fact that the legs ARE yellow and not pink indicate that it is leucistic rather than albino. Thank you for sharing your photo, it's rare to see one of these birds thriving in the wild!!
Laurie 24-Nov-2013 02:58
I to have photographed one for three years now. Shows up only in winter months. Luray Virginia
joe 13-Aug-2013 12:53
This actually shows all the signs of an albino. Would be nice to have an updated sighting post. But I say Albino. Eyes, beak, Tarsus and Talons show such.
Susan Fleming 03-Apr-2013 12:35
I spent 15 minutes yesterday morning watching one near my home in the mountains of western pennsylvania. He was incredibly white and I called several birders to help identify him. No one could but red tails are common in this area and on-line information (as well as the process of elimination)leads me believe that this bird is a red tail. This is the second sighting this spring. Hope he sticks around.
jonathan 05-Mar-2013 22:48
Very nice. I live in Schertz,Tx. We have a park names Cresent Bend nature park. I have seen a leucistic red tailed hawk here. They are most beautiful mhen the sun is behind them in flight. They glow luminesent.
Tara M 18-Nov-2012 22:06
I live in Edgerton, OH and I just took pictures of ours. We hadn't seen him for months than the other day I was so lucky and saw him. Though our white bird is all white except for the underside of his tail has red pigment to it. That's what made me look to see if he might be a leucistic red-tailed hawk. Beautiful pictures! Beautiful bird.
Matt Lucey 20-Jul-2011 21:13
I saw a large one yesterday 19-jul-11 outside my office in Billerica,Mass. Didn't know what it was until I googled it and found some pictures.
Guest 24-Jan-2011 19:11
Interesting to see this lecsistic white-tailed, well done story and images.
Brenda Craige 22-Dec-2010 20:45
Thanks so much for posting your pictures - I saw a huge leucistic red-tailed hawk this morning in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and couldn't figure out what he was until I found your site via Google. He was totally white, no other markings. I had time to grab the binoculars but couldn't get to the camera before he took off. Thanks again for helping me find out what he was!
Mark Cook 07-Mar-2010 15:35
I live @ Geist Reservoir & a frisky red tailed hawk is building a nest 45' above a creek.
Any idea how I can make it's life easier?
Mark Cook
Guest 01-Aug-2009 01:31
I live in Indiana, about 60 miles North of Indianapolis. We have a state fish and wildlife area, Willow Slough, where there's a leucistic red tailed. I've been going insane trying to photograph him. One minute he's there, the next, nothin' but air. Absolutely gorgeous. When the sun hits him, he glows. I thought I was seeing things the first time. There are also nesting/breeding bald eagles at Willow Slough. They're an amazing sight too.
Michele 12-Mar-2009 02:37
I live in Genoa City, WI, I have spotted a Leucistic red-tailed hawk behind my house on and off for about 2 weeks now. I have seen it many times with a true red-tailed hawk. They perch together and fluff their feathers. Could this be a mating pair? In what state have you seen yours for the last several years? I haven't had a chance to get a good photo yet.
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