White Bird of Prey?

[cluckmecoop7]

Wow! I don't have those around my place.

 

[DogAndCat36]

Ummmm... sorry to bother you @Overo Mare, but I think it is not a Gyrfalcon. I did some research and the Gyrfalcon lives in the tundra and it is really big. The bird migrated south during the winter and came back this spring. Sorry I should of mentioned that. But still, you did good.

 

[centrarchid]

Do not rule this critter out either.

Female / Immature

 

[DogAndCat36]

Do not rule this critter out either.

View attachment 2082009

Female / Immature

Could be posible, can it live Maine and is it around the size of a medium sized chicken?

 

[sealer39]

Birds of prey can be a pain to identify. Many have different color phases. Google Marsh Hawk grey phase and see if that is it. If you don’t have a bird book you can google birds of prey in Maine, that might work. Regardless, it sounds like you need some bird netting above your run.

 

[DogAndCat36]

Also @centrarchid those eyes! They look so much the same! Bright yellow and narrow!

 

[DogAndCat36]

Birds of prey can be a pain to identify. Many have different color phases. Google Marsh Hawk grey phase and see if that is it. If you don’t have a bird book you can google birds of prey in Maine, that might work. Regardless, it sounds like you need some bird netting above your run.

I have a bird book but it doesn't have anything that is similar with the bird that I have seen. It also includes a lot of Eastern US birds and didn't get them all I guess.

 

[centrarchid]

Northern Harriers occur in your area this time of year. Gyr Falcons more likely to be seen during winter months.

I do not think harriers, whether Northern or Marsh, will go after mature chickens. Marsh not likely occur in the Americas.

 

[DogAndCat36]

Northern Harriers occur in your area this time of year. Gyr Falcons more likely to be seen during winter months.

I do not think harriers, whether Northern or Marsh, will go after mature chickens. Marsh not likely occur in the Americas.

I think that you got it right! Thanks!
Weird thing is that it is really white... but it does look like that, it even has the same owlish look. Maybe the bird's ancestors manly consisted of white feathered birds? Also what was it doing by my slide window? Weird stuff...

 

[sealer39]

A Marsh Hawk is a Northern Harrier, that’s what we call them in the South. They do hover like what you described. They have the shape of a falcon but bigger.