This ellusive bird

[TsPoet]

Sure it wasn't an Osprey?

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAbou...de/Osprey.html

[7rider]

If it was "sitting amongst the buzzards" - that behavior seems to fit with the Caracara (according to the Cornell site). I've never seen one myself...they look pretty cool...
DH and I are half-arsed birders ourselves. I often tell DH to pay attention to behavior. Birds rarely do things "outside" their standard behavior. I wouldn't expect to see an osprey hanging out with buzzards. They have very different niches and habits and food needs. Of course....I never expected to see Osprey nesting at 9'000 feet in the mountains of Colorado, but one does nest near my friends' house there. So....ya never know.....

[sundial]

Aggie, lol. Now you're going to be checking for that bird for days to come.
It can be addicting and fascinating.

[TsPoet]

I've seen osprey in amongst a whole bunch of Canada Geese on the ground - depends on what's on the ground. The Osprey I've seen are usually near water, hunting fish. Their range makes osprey a more likely choice. The Caracara would certainly be a much cooler thing to see.

[Aggie_Ama]

Well Osprey's range covers more area but there is absolutely no water on this side of the area. The only reason I thought maybe the caracara is my husband's grower is an avid birder and said he has seen them in the area (this was a block from the nursery). Plus he was chilling with the buzzards as the Cornell site says they are apt to do. I have been to pick up DH twice but only seen grackels lately. Silly birds making me crazy.

[SlowButSteady]

It was most likely a caracara. I understand they occur with some regularity well into your area. Osprey are almost always near water.

I've not personally seen one, but I visited a sheep ranch smack in the middle of TX where the rancher was complaining about them. Whether right or wrong, he at least attributed some of his lamb losses to "Mexican eagles."

[bmccasland]

I'd go with Caracara, I've seen them soar with vultures along the border in Arizona, which osprey wouldn't do. Caracara and vultures have similar eating habits, they're scavangers, while ospreys are predators - they like their meat fresh.

So now you'll just have to pay closer attention to the soaring vultures to see if it's the Caracara, a turkey vulture, or a black vulture. Need a good bird guide (book) or binoculars?

[Aggie_Ama]

Actually I am going to get a guide book this weekend because DH is taking me hiking. It is my treat for being his constant mountain bike race cheerleader. I got to pick the place and am super excited. Book suggestions? We have two sets of binoculars.