I have a challenge for members who are more versed in Ornithology. Our neighborhood has a new resident and she is BIG. I wouldn't think twice about it being unusual except her size spooked my dog who usually jumps after birds that fly off as we walk. Unfortunately I didn't catch a photo of her in flight but I would estimate at least a 5' wingspan- very similar in size to the large turkey buzzards and blue herons around here. She is twice the size of the typical hawks found in the neighborhood. She was carrying a fairly large rabbit, about the size of a house cat.
There are two theories as to what she is:
1. My first guess- a Ferruginous Hawk which aren't native to this part of Texas.
2. A friend's theory that holds up water when I compare images- a juvenile Bald Eagle. We do have Bald Eagles around here but they are very, very uncommon.
This is in NE Texas, East of Dallas, close to Louisiana.
I tried to make this image as a size comparison to the typical hawk in our neighborhood. To give you an idea of the size, the smaller hawk preys on doves- so even though it looks small here, it is a decent sized bird. The mystery bird is just that massive but more than that, it was very stocky. It wasn't lean and sleek like the hawks here.
