Hi all,

I took some photographs today of this hawk before it went in for the kill (a juvenile cardinal). Any ideas? Thank you!

Lisa

RE: Help needed with hawk ID

• Posted by: john805 (My Page) on Tue, Jul 21, 09 at 16:44

It looks like a red shouldered hawk to me. How were you able to get so close?

RE: Help needed with hawk ID

• Posted by: birding_nut (My Page) on Tue, Jul 21, 09 at 16:44

Looks like a Cooper's Hawk to me given the size of the bird in relation to the patio chair it is perched on.

BN

RE: Help needed with hawk ID

• Posted by: lisa_north_carolina (My Page) on Tue, Jul 21, 09 at 16:52

Thanks for the feedback. I was sitting at my kitchen table when I heard the birds call out and scatter in every direction. I was able to take pictures through my kitchen window of the hawk as he narrowed in on his prey. One of the cardinals hit the window and landed underneath the deck furniture.

RE: Help needed with hawk ID

• Posted by: john805 (My Page) on Tue, Jul 21, 09 at 17:24

I think bird nut is right. It probably is a Coopers Hawk but if it is it's a juvenile. The top of the adult Cooper's head is black. I also think an adult would be too cautious too land on a deck like that but a young bird probably would.

RE: Help needed with hawk ID

• Posted by: birding_nut (My Page) on Tue, Jul 21, 09 at 17:35

Yes, this is an immature bird apparently molting into adult plumage.

BN

RE: Help needed with hawk ID

• Posted by: elly_nj (My Page) on Tue, Jul 21, 09 at 18:11

It is a second-year bird, born last spring (2008). Great example of this transitional molt, which only looks like this once in this specie's life.

RE: Help needed with hawk ID

• Posted by: rachel_frome_ky (My Page) on Fri, Jul 24, 09 at 11:54

Amazing shot! Thanks for sharing it!

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