Forgot to add that I'm leaning toward female, due to size (about as big as a crow-14-16 inches tall)

I wouldnt even try to tell the difference between them, it is very difficult since there is an overlap in size.
Nathan

This one sure knows how to pose for the camera.

There is no overlap in size beween the male and female Cooper's hawk. Hawk banders can sex them according to size, specifically wing cord (the length from their wrist to the longest primary). The females are quite larger in length and weight. Brown and Amadon say the females average about 20 oz, the males 14 oz.

sry I meant overlap between sharpies and coops, sry my mistake. What I should have said is there is really no way to tell from the pic, becuase there is no point of reference.
Nathan

Well, the deck rail it is standing on is 2 inches thick, and in the uncropped photo it ends just below the lowest talon, which makes the bird roughly 14-16 inches tall(10-12 inches without the tail). Does that information help at all?

This bird could be a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Luc

Im kinda leaning towards what your saying Luc, that coarse barring on the chest makes it look alot like a Sharp Shinned Hawk, much thicker and shorter streaked than a Coopers should be. Compare the picture of this supposed "coopers" and the coopers hawk on the post just a few above this one (Need help on ID here). Im gonna say sharp shinned, Im sure someone else has a different take, but that barring sure points to sharpie!
Nathan

Also compare (Coopers hawk-a new yard companion) this bird is a coopers and observe the long thinly streaked breast.
Nathan