Ok Im going with Sharp Shinned based on the squarish tail.
Nathan

Thanks Nathan,

I think so as well. One of my field-guides described the Cooper's as looking fiercer than the Sharp-shinned, and this Hawk doesn't look that fierce.

Canadensis

Kinda get that impression eh? Unless your a small songbird lol.
Nathan
Nice pick by the way (From one canadian to another)

chicka-dee-dee-dee...

I say Sharp-shinned Hawk too.

Because of the very coarse barrying of the breast.

Luc

And I'll say Sharp-shinned because it seems virtually neckless and small-headed (makes the eyes seem huge).

-O-

I forgot to say that it is a beautiful and interseting picture.

Luc

I'm in agreement with the rest of you. A beautiful adult sharp-shinned hawk.

Thanks folks,

I see what you mean about the short neck.

Canadensis

Those 2 need to wear name tags....I have the hardest time telling them apart.

I fully agree. I have a pair of birds apparently nesting somewhere on my property that I frequently see mating (or snagging birds from my birdfeeder. . . .) that I can't get close enough to with my binoculars to readily identify. Although I have fairly positively identified Coopers as being around, this pair could be either species.

What's interesting is that I also have mated pairs of both Red Tails & Red Shoulders on the property, & the 3 pairs are always bickering between themselves. Even the crows won't get involved when they're going at it - lol!