Unknown bird of prey Strathcona County

[Heron]

On several occasions over the last few weeks now I have seen a large bird of prey around highway 16 right around Sherwood Park. Not Snowy Owls but I have seen them too. Bigger than a Gyrfalcon. Not as big as an eagle. It has a pretty good ability to hover over its prey. All sightings in broad daylight. What am I seeing?

[thunderheart]

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/PHOTO/LARGE/american_kestrel_3.jpg

kestrels hover nicely

[Strix]

It sounds like you are describing a Rough-legged Hawk.

[arctic hunter]

If it is large as you say and hovering it is likely a northern harrier. Look for a white rump patch.

[Stinky Buffalo]

I'm thinking Ferruginous Hawk (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ferruginous_Hawk/id). There's one that hangs out close to my place. I sometimes spot it hovering as well.

Did it look like this?

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/PHOTO/LARGE/ferrug_glam.jpg

[Heron]

It sounds like you are describing a Rough-legged Hawk.

You nailed it Strix! That is what I have been seeing. Funny I have never seen them before as I look for Snowys all winter. Plus I assumed all Hawks went south. Thanks for solving the mystery.

[Grizzly Adams]

Saw a Hawk Owl making off with a rodent yesterday, they hunt during the day.

Grizz

[Heron]

It's funny I considered each of your suggestions as possibilities except the kestrel which is way too small. You right about the hovering though. I guess I could look it up but Ferruginous Hawks barely come north in the summer right?

[morinj]

It could very well be a, American Kestrel which, is in the hawk family!!!

[Strix]

I happened to be in Sherwood Park today and there was a Rough-legged Hawk sitting on the light standard a couple of blocks north of Sherwood Ford on Broadmoor.
The Rough-legs do go south for the winter. They nest in the Arctic and winter in Alberta.

[alacringa]

Ferruginous in Alberta in winter would be highly unusual.

Rough-legs are great hoverers -- my money would be on them.

[waterninja]

You guys all beat me to it. There has to be at least 6 different birds of prey that OP might have seen. Surprised no one mentioned a Red Tailed Hawk.

[Heron]

I think a Red Tailed Hawk would also be very unusual in the winter. That is about a kilometre from where I saw it Monday Strix. Sunday I saw 2 closer to Henday East.