I Think This is a Hawk.......

17 years ago

I came downstairs today, and look what I saw on my deck! I don't think he/she could see me, because I snapped off a lot of pictures. After half an hour, I realized it was guarding a now dead squirrel. It ate the squirrel right on the deck for about 2 hours. Then it was gone! I didn't see the remains, but they could have been dropped anywhere. We have WAY too many squirrels here, he/she can stop by anytime!! Let me know what you think, and any information would be interesting! Thanks, Christy

I've given up trying to insert pictures....here's 9 pics in Yahoo Pictures. Hope you enjoy!

Here is a link that might be useful: Yahoo Pictures

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Comments (9)

lindac
17 years ago
Yep...that's a hawk...a big one!
Not sure what kind because I don't know where you live and what would be likely to be found there.
Great pictures.
Linda C
richardzone7maryland
17 years ago
Nice shots. It sure looks like an accipiter to me. My guess would be an immature female Coopers Hawk.

Richard
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christy2828
Original Author
17 years ago
Hey Thanks!! I also posted this on the bird watching forum. The conclusion was a Juvenile Cooper's Hawk. I did figure out how to post the pictures...FINALLY!!!

The Citronella Candle pole to the left has about 20" that is visibly showing.

Thanks for helping me ID this bird, I really enjoyed taking these pictures! Christy
richardzone7maryland
17 years ago
Christy,

Your photos are even better enlarged, I could not figure out how to make them bigger before. I did find your Post on the Birdwatching Forum and saw where the prevailing view is that it is a juvenile Cooper's hawk and probably a female. As the others indicated it has the features of an accipiter. The size of the hawk points towards it being a Coopers Hawk rather than a Sharp-shinned hawk. It really doesn't have the right features for a goshawk and unless you are in the western part of Maryland you are not apt to have a goshawk in your backyard. This is a little too far south to see many goshawks. Comparing the hawk to the squirrel points it to be a rather large Cooper's hawk, which points towards it being a female since the females are larger than the males.

You were real lucky to get such great shots of the hawk, they usually don't hang around long. Thanks for sharing the photos.

Richard
luc_quebec
17 years ago
Hi Christy,

I agree completely with Richard.

Luc
craig76
16 years ago
Great pictures. Help a computer idiot. How do you get pictures in here.
doucanoe
16 years ago
WOW! Fabulous shots!

Linda
janie_may
16 years ago
Christy, those photos are incredible! WOW is right!

Janie
christy2828
Original Author
11 years ago
Wow. I remember that day, several years ago :) My daughter was one year and 4 days when we were sitting on our couch looking outside. We noticed the hawk and it was overcast, so I got the best pics I could with my camera!!! I'll never forget it, we watched it for a long time :) Thanks!!! Christy