What Bird Is That Forum

I'm stumped on this one. Definitely something I've never seen before, GISS and wing shape was totally different than anything I'm used to seeing. Clearly a narrower winged shape and smaller size than the buteos I'm used to. A couple of days ago here in SW Washington I noticed a raptor circling on the thermals. Caught my attention as something unique so I quickly snapped a few pictures and a video with my phone and then headed for the truck and my binos.. Got some decent looks at it with the binos in varied lighting as it circled overhead, not as good as I would have liked but I did pay extra attention to any color changes with lighting hoping to eliminate any shadow caused issues. Shape gave me kite vibes but I've never seen any of them so don't have any experience there and colors don't seem to match. Photos are terrible and make it look blockier than it was. Here are my rapid notes from the moment
- All dark under tail, light/white belly, no belly band, narrow pointed ish wings pushed forward, dark head in multiple angles but neck white. No obvious bars or other markings on underwings or belly.

Hello, fellow Washingtonian. I'm in S Central, 15 miles from the WA/OR border. I'm probably wrong, but the only kite that should be expected in SW Washington would be a White-tailed Kite. But your bird doesn't really fit the profile for one.

Maybe an immature Bald Eagle?

From the photos, it looks like the bird was soaring quite high. A Turkey Vulture would fit that, but the coloring is all wrong for one.

Hopefully, someone will be able to ID it for you.

Is a shrike possible? Just spitballing.

Peregrine Falcon maybe

Seconding Peregrine/Prairie

Kansabirdguy wrote: Fri Jun 26, 2026 8:08 pm Peregrine Falcon maybe

Totally got it. Perfectly explains the bold white throat and dark head that had me puzzled. They definitely are in the region and I know of nesting within 50 miles or so but I rarely see them.

lonesome55dove wrote: Fri Jun 26, 2026 4:36 pm Hello, fellow Washingtonian. I'm in S Central, 15 miles from the WA/OR border. I'm probably wrong, but the only kite that should be expected in SW Washington would be a White-tailed Kite. But your bird doesn't really fit the profile for one.

Maybe an immature Bald Eagle?

From the photos, it looks like the bird was soaring quite high. A Turkey Vulture would fit that, but the coloring is all wrong for one.

Hopefully, someone will be able to ID it for you.

I remember, because I once asked if you lived on Lonesome Dove Lane ... you didn't but it was somewhere close by. Beautiful country!