This juvenile Red-tailed Hawk and Osprey have similar but different patterns of white and black when viewed from below. White coloration from below helps blend with a bright sky while hunting and black coloration (melanin) is known to strengthen feathers and provide resistance to abrasion.
![](https://i0.wp.com/sonomamountainecologynotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DSC_7638.jpeg?resize=600%2C444&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/sonomamountainecologynotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DSC_7269.jpeg?resize=600%2C542&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/sonomamountainecologynotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DSC_7563.jpeg?resize=600%2C414&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/sonomamountainecologynotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DSC_7261.jpeg?resize=600%2C472&ssl=1)