Common Black Hawk — COBH
Sibley’s indicates that the Common Black-Hawk is a rare bird found in woods along permanent streams.
The bird is found from Texas to Arizona.
Taken over the fish hatchery on 260 east of Payson, AZ in mid July.
Common Black Hawk COBH
This shot of a Common Black-Hawk juvenile is my favorite yardbird photograph.
Common Black-Hawk Juvenile
Common Black Hawk COBH
Common Black Hawk COBH
Common Black Hawk COBH
Common Black Hawk COBH
Common Black Hawk COBH
For any birder, to get this opportunity is off the scale.
Just north of the valley was a beautiful nesting pair.
This is a male, bringing in a waterdog or tadpole to the nest.
Common Black-Hawk adult male
A tadpole or waterdog is an indication of their hunting grounds.
Common Black Hawk lunch
The male brought in the food and gave it to the female for it to feed the brood.
Common Black Hawk nestling
Common Black-Hawk juvenile
A couple of months later I was excited to get these shots.
Common Black-Hawk juvenile
Common Black-Hawk juvenile
Common Black-Hawk juvenile
Common Black-Hawk juvenile
Common Black-Hawk juvenile
Common Black-Hawk
Common Black-Hawk COBH
Common Black Hawk
Common Black-Hawk COBH
Common Black Hawk
Common Black-Hawk COBH
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Do you have the date for the juvenile black hawk photo? It seems quite dark for a hatch year bird. Any chance it might be a second year bird? I have been trying to sort out the difference between a true juvenile and a second year bird that returns in the spring still in juvenile plumage. Can the two be told apart based on plumage? Thanks.
Hi Catherine,
The fledgling is the same bird as the picture of the chick in the nest.
I have not heard that you can tell the age of a hawk by its color, just pattern.
sorry, I forgot the date question….
It was August 9, 2015
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