bird id please

sorie6 zone 6b

9 years ago

Is this a hawk? He sat on my fence for quite a while today. So pretty. Sorry he's kind of blurry!
Thanks.

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Comments (6)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
9 years ago
Yes, a hawk. Cooper's Hawk.

tj

Here is a link that might be useful: Cornell link
birding_nut
9 years ago
To me, it looks like a Sharp-shinned Hawk. The position of the eyes more forward in the face and the very rounded head without the flat "cap-like" appearance of the head suggests Sharp-shinned as opposed to Cooper's Hawk. Also, the tail appears more square at the tip (Sharp-shinned) rather than nicely rounded (Cooper's). Furthermore, the bird has definite buffy cheeks where as a Cooper's Hawk would have much more grayer checks extending into the neck.

See link below to a close up of the heads of these two species. Here you can see the cheek pattern and shape of the top of the head.

Here is a link that might be useful:
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tmff
9 years ago
I agree with BN. It is an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Although my reasoning slightly differs: the "hooded" appearance of this bird is obvious from this angle (how the dark head continues over the nape of the neck). This is a terrific way to tell the similar Cooper's and Sharp-shinned apart (but only as adults!). A Cooper's has a "capped" look (dark crown of the head and a lighter gray nape of the neck). The shape is also indicative of a Sharp-shinned (squat appearance with a small head and fat chest, lack of a neck, large eyes and small bill). The auriculars (cheeks) actually aren't a reliable way to tell Sharp-shinned from Cooper's, but it is a semi-useful way to tell male from female in both Sharp-shinned and Cooper's. I don't like to use it unless it is really obvious. Kind of iffy.

In summary, this is a Sharp-shinned Hawk. It is hunting birds.
sorie6 zone 6b
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you!!! I can always count on you folks here.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
catherinet
9 years ago
Are Sharp-shinned hawks' legs/claws a brighter yellow than a Coopers'?
tmff
9 years ago
No. A Sharp-shinned tarsi are, however, usually scrawnier than a Cooper's Hawk. That can vary, as with everything, because male Accipiters are so much smaller than the respective females. A small male Coop can appear pretty puny. So, bodily and facial proportions and plumage should always be taken into account. The differences are subtle, and distinguishing between Sharpies and Coops continues to cause many heated debates every winter, when the Sharpies make their way into residential back yards.