Could also be a Northern Mockingbird which has the white outside tail 
feathers, is generally grayish in color, is smaller in size but flying could 
look pileated size at a distance.

Peter Manship
Ludlow Vt
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Crowley" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 8:14 AM
Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] mystery bird


> How about a Northern Goshawk?
>
> Bob Crowley
> Chatham, NH
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Justin Woods" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 7:18 AM
> Subject: [VTBIRD] mystery bird
>
>
> Hey all--
>
> I have a mystery bird, but very few details, maybe not enough to go on...
>
> A couple of mornings ago, a large bird swooped over my car and into a
> neighbor's yard -- my first thought was raptor.  By large, I mean
> Pileated-sized.  It flew low over the yard, glided, pumped its wings a
> couple of times, and headed back into the trees, much higher.
>
> The thing was all gray on the back, and all I could see were distinctly
> white tail (coverts?) feathers on the outside of the tail, which was
> otherwise the same color as its back.  The colors were clearly delineated. 
> It reminded me of junco coloring.
>
> Gos?  Any other guesses?  The mystery is bugging me...
>
> Thanks!
>
> --justin