Is she his daughter?

Pale Beauty on roof of nest building, Feb 13, 2011

photo courtesy of PaleMale.com

Reader Michelle Brown asks:

Has anyone raised the question that Pale Beauty could be one of Pale Male’s offspring? Not sure that it matters, but it seems reasonable.

Blakeman provides an easy answer:

Marie,

Although the pale plumage of Pale Beauty mirrors that of Pale Male, she can't be an offspring of Pale Male. She's only in her third year, as revealed by the light-brown color of her irises. Pale Male has not sired any eyasses in the last three years.

And the pale colorations of both of these birds, although distinctive and uncommon, is well known and a normal constituent of eastern Red-tailed Hawk populations.

--John Blakeman