The dark brown helmet, and blotchy spots on the side view of a belly band say immature Red-tailed Hawk to me. Rich Guthrie New Baltimore The Greene County NY -- Richard Guthrie

 Begin forwarded message:

From: "Heidi via Groups.Io" <hocka1@...>

What a laugh! Mystery solved! Nancy Kern

Well, the skeptics were right about the bird 😊 but this was NOT a set up or prank by my friend. She sent me the message below about an hour ago: Mystery Solved.

Here’s a screenshot of the original Facebook post of this bird and my friend’s comment.

Yes definitely Galway NY. She is a long time birder and I know this isn’t a prank photo. That’s why I asked for help. I will send you a screenshot of her original Facebook post but it’s a

It doesn’t look legit Rich

Made a pass through Williams Lane and other roads near King Dairy in Northumberland yesterday, late afternoon. The new snow had covered any manure spreads and the only snow bunting I found flew over

I was thinking the same thing. Looks like an escaped Ruppells.

That doesn’t look like any North American vulture species. Are you sure your friend took this in Galway? -- Zach Schwartz-Weinstein 203 500 7774

A friend took this picture on Sunday of a large bird sitting in a tree near her home in Galway. We agree it looks like a Vulture but what about all that white? Could it be partially leucistic

I had a Goldfinch at my feeder this afternoon and watched a Turkey Vulture sail overhead and sit in a nearby tree for about 20 minutes. Heidi Klinowski Troy/Brunswick near RPI

Rich White and I had a Turkey Vulture on Eleanor Drive in southern Rensselaer County today. Also 2 Red-winged Blackbirds and a bunch of Snow Buntings on Clove Rd Steve Mesick East Greenbush

Birded Schuylerville to Northumberland and then to WC Grasslands. In Northumberland, Snow Buntings and Horned Larks were found everywhere along melted grassy/gravelly shoulder strips. There were 2

Hi all, I walked the bike path from Niskayuna Lions park past the Ferry Drive bridge today from 12:20-2:00pm. The area between Lions Park and the Ferry Drive Bridge was quiet with only a little open

The snow buntings and horned larks are still hanging around after the storm. Spotted about 30-40 of each in the same vicinity as John Hershey and Greg Recer previously reported. Also, 1 Northern

This morning at Henry Hudson Park in Selkirk, I found a Winter Wren still hanging on. I heard it calling, then it showed itself well in response to pishing. I also saw the Northern Harrier that has

Probably taken in August or so while the bird was molting - hence the odd color pattern and ratty pointy looking tail.

Female House Sparrow. To me it looks pretty rough, the eye may have infection? Nancy Kern