[TopOfUtah] Albino Red-tailed Hawk - Cache Valley

[Buck Russell]

Ok, the correct word is leucistic, but this was the coolest Red-tailed Hawk that I have ever seen.  This evening I was birding in Petersboro (lots of Western Kingbirds in Petersboro), when I saw three Swainson's Hawks attacking the lecuistic Red-tailed Hawk.  The Red-tailed was almost totally white except for the red tail feathers and a few dark feathers on the wing.  The Red-tailed was holding his own for quite a while against the three Swainson's, but the Swainson's were unrelenting with continuous dive bombing, rolling belly up, chain-saw circling, and talons slashing.  I saw lots of feathers floating through the air.  They knocked the Red-tailed to the ground and two of the Swainson's started leaving the area.  The Red-tailed took flight and the aerial war started all over with the three Swainson's.  They again knocked the Red-tailed to the ground, only this time a Swainson landed next to the Red-tailed, stretched his wings and continued the attack.  It appeared that the Swainson's Hawk was standing on the tail feathers of the Red-tailed (Red-tailed was laying on the ground belly up and wings extended.  I could tell that the Red-tailed was fighting with his talons.  After a bit the Red-tailed stopped moving.  For the longest time I did not see the Red-tailed move.  I thought that the Red-tailed was dead, but to my surprise it again took flight cleared the top of some trees and headed towards Cutler Marsh.   The Swainson's Hawk on the ground just watched the Red-tailed fly away and did not pursue.  I think he had enough of the Red-tailed.  It was an amazing thing to witness.  I hope that the Red-tailed survives, but from what I saw it must have suffered some severe wounds.
After leaving Petersboro, I birded the Amalga Barrens area, but saw nothing out of the ordinary (several Savannah Sparrows).  I did see a Blue-winged Teal hanging out with some Cinnamon Teals in the big, flooded area on the north side of the Logan Airport Road.  
Earlier today I saw a male Calliope Hummingbird on the hillside of Denzil Stewart Park in Logan (same area where I've seen a Calliope Hummingbird for the past six years).
A great day birding!
Buck Russell
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