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Bird ID from Long Island

14 years ago

Hi,

I don't know much about birds, but i saw this bird in my backyard on long island, and I've never seen anything like it around here in the ~25 years I've lived here. The picture quality isn't that great, but it was taken from indoors on a very basic digital camera (not an SLR or anything). Can somebody please tell me what it is? Thanks!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

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Comments (7)

oldned
14 years ago
Looks like a Northern Goshawk
chris8796
14 years ago
While it is difficult to tell from the limited info, I would guess a Juvenile Sharp Shinned Hawk. Looks like an accipter Hawk with the feet and tail. I'm assuming that is a standard patio chair, which would be about 24" wide. That would make the Hawk about 12".

I agree the eyebar makes it look like a Goshawk, but I don't think its close to being big enough, 20-24"
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Yes, that is very probable. I just didn't see the yellow on the tail tip, but there was a lot of light behind them, making color details difficult. We have seen the adults this summer but never saw a young one before. We've had lots of various juveniles this year. ID is often difficult when going by just pictures in a bird book. Heck, even adults are tough. Right now we're getting all the visitors that are going south. Why do they always pick a bare branch with sky for background, making fine details next to impossible? My camera is 10-15+ years old and not worth fixing. I'm looking into something ideal for back yard bird watching but haven't found it yet. This forum is wonderful but only as good as my descriptions and observation skills. A good picture would speak volumes, not to mention putting it on my computer and enlarging it so I can see it close up. My binoculars are 10-42 and work pretty well, but once they fly, well.....opportunity is lost. Plus, the 10 is tough to find and track bouncing birds.
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jannd
14 years ago
I agree, it's pretty hard to tell. Like Chris says, size would help ID it. I can see it being either a juvenile sharp-shinned, which I agree is likely it, but it could also be a goshawk with that white eyebrow. Brihop, I'd suggest that you Google images for both of these birds and see if you come across any images that match what you saw. Good luck.
alan_la
14 years ago
Sharp-shinned was my first thought, but not a Juvie, I wanted to see what Eastern Birders thought.
brihop2000
Original Author
14 years ago
Yes, he was perched on a patio chair, and I would say 12" would be a good estimate for his length. I've looked at some photos on the web, but it is hard to tell. Much of his breast was molting. I don't know if that means he is a juvenile or if that's just a seasonal change.
oldned
14 years ago
If your 12-inch length estimate is accurate, then Sharp-shinned is much more likely. A Goshawk is longer than and nearly as heavy as a Red-tailed Hawk. The (apparent) white supercilium fooled me.
lisa11310
14 years ago
This Eastern Bluebirder thinks Sharpie too AND not one I would want to have around my property. :( Beautiful bird, I just don't want them here.

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