Black Hawk from South America in Maine

I read about this on an Audubon website. If you Google black hawk rare Portland Maine, you’ll see his story. I just happened to be driving through Portland on my way to Florida, so I took a chance and went looking for this guy. It’s very satisfying to find something that you set out to find

Great shots Ian! I have seen so many photos of this bird in my Facebook feed from Vermont and New Hampshire birders.

Thanks Sandy. It was amazing how respectful everybody was of this bird’s space. And in talking with a few people they are also concerned about whether he will make it through the winter. He is certainly quite the local celebrity.

Nice shots, Ian!

My son was telling me that the hawk was making kills and eating, although getting through a NE winter may take more than just a full belly.

Fantastic, Ian; congrats on the find! It's fun to have these out of range visitors show up.

What a great find, Ian; good for you. I've seen and photographed Common Blackhawks in both Arizona and Panama. Is this the same species? The one's I've seen were indeed black.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #18782633
Nice shots, Ian!

My son was telling me that the hawk was making kills and eating, although getting through a NE winter may take more than just a full belly.

Thanks, Yes apparently he’s getting lots to eat… Mostly gray squirrels in the park that he’s in, and apparently there’s a lot of them

Snydremark wrote in post #18782689
Fantastic, Ian; congrats on the find! It's fun to have these out of range visitors show up.

Thanks Eric and yes fun to find after driving 600 miles from Nova Scotia!

CDMOOSE wrote in post #18782806
What a great find, Ian; good for you. I've seen and photographed Common Blackhawks in both Arizona and Panama. Is this the same species? The one's I've seen were indeed black.

Thanks much Al, I have no idea if this is the same species. Maybe check in the newspaper articles and see what they say. This is apparently an immature male, perhaps accounting for the colour variation. I recall reading that his colour is actually changing slightly, perhaps due to colder weather or growing older or diet change… Hard to say I guess.

CDMOOSE wrote in post #18782806
What a great find, Ian; good for you. I've seen and photographed Common Blackhawks in both Arizona and Panama. Is this the same species? The one's I've seen were indeed black.

The bird that has been seen in Portland for several months is a Great Black Hawk, not a Common Black Hawk. And while several news reports have stated that it is from "South America" the Great Black Hawk occurs much farther north into Mexico is is likely a vagrant from Central America or Mexico.


This same bird was seen and photographed on the Texas Coast back in April 2018, and was later spotted and photographed in Maine on August. So this (young) bird has really been covering some ground!!

Markmcc wrote in post #18783160
The bird that has been seen in Portland for several months is a Great Black Hawk, not a Common Black Hawk. And while several news reports have stated that it is from "South America" the Great Black Hawk occurs much farther north into Mexico is is likely a vagrant from Central America or Mexico.

This same bird was seen and photographed on the Texas Coast back in April 2018, and was later spotted and photographed in Maine on August. So this (young) bird has really been covering some ground!!

Many thanks for the additional info!

Interesting bird, a long way from home. Glad you were able to find it and post pics. Thanks for posting them!

awesome- you are a lucky and skilled photo guy

CaptBob wrote in post #18789546
awesome- you are a lucky and skilled photo guy

LOL thanks Bob.

Just making a rare check in to POTN and up comes this thread. Yowza!!! Just incredible, off the charts, whatever. Big ol' ATTABOY, Ian!

ardeekay wrote in post #18789608
Just making a rare check in to POTN and up comes this thread. Yowza!!! Just incredible, off the charts, whatever. Big ol' ATTABOY, Ian!

Well hi there stranger! Hope all is well and you’re writing this from Texas!

Nope, no more Texas. Father Time has spoken. And yes, missing it! But doing okay.
Assume you and Captain Bob will be hooking up. Hope you have a great trip.