Documentation of
Leucistic red tailed hawk
2026-003
Observer Information
Reporter:
Kristine Holasek
240 Bell Cir,
Durango,
CO 81303
E-mail:
keh@kristineh.com
Other Observers:
Species, Date, Time and Location Information
Species:
Leucistic red tailed hawk
First Date/Time:
1/17/2026 9:20:00 AM
Last Date/Time:
1/17/2026 10:05:00 AM
Duration (total time in view):
5 mins or less
County:
La Plata
Specific Location:
Durango
Number:
1
Age:
Adult
Sex:
Unknown
Plumage:
Other/Unknown
Habitat
Juniper tree then flying
Viewing Conditions
Optics:
iPhone
Distance:
75 yards
Light:
Daylight, windy morning
Description of the Bird
The bird was sitting near the top of a juniper tree for a few minutes. I took an unclear photo through the window. He flew away and I captured a better photo, again through the window. About 40 minutes later I saw it fly overhead, from the back of my house and over to the front, then he disappeared.
My neighbor says he submitted my picture earlier today, but that he wasn’t sure if it worked. He called me while I was watching it in the tree, but he didn’t see it.
Similar Species Discussion
Merlin bird came up with nothing so I searched the picture with Google images and it brought up pictures of other leucistic red tailed hawks, at least one from this area.
Previous Experience
I have seen a white hawk looking creature a number of times in the area, but never close enough to get a good photograph. I saw one two or three years ago that was smaller than this, but all white, in the juniper on the other side of my house and then diving. I see what I believe are red tailed hawks all the time around my house.
Date Documentation Submitted
1/17/2026 5:27:00 PM
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