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Help with Raptor(?) ID

lionheart_gw (USDA Zone 5A, Eastern NY)

10 years ago

I haven't seen this bird before. Perched high in a maple tree, within striking distance of backyard bird feeders and the ever-present squirrels.

When s/he was around, all activity by squirrels and the birds at the bird feeders went dark. Nothing was out when there is usually lots of activity.

These photos were taken on January 31st in Albany County, NY. Late afternoon on a very bright day. Sorry, only had a phone camera and it was pretty high up.

I tried to sneak around the back of it to see if there was any barring on the tail feathers, but there was no barring from what I could see.

It patiently tolerated my antics of trying to get pictures. I finally got cold and went back inside, but this guy/gal hung out for an hour or so. Its head was always moving back and forth, enthusiastically looking for a snack, I guess.

Thanks, folks!

Featured Answer

tmff

10 years ago

That is an adult Peregrine Falcon.

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Comments (6)

lionheart_gw (USDA Zone 5A, Eastern NY)
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you, tmff! I thought Peregrine Falcon was a possibility, but don't have a lot of confidence in IDing things yet.

Probably the only good thing about winter is that the lack of leaves provide better opportunities to spot a raptor when they're around. :-)
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Its mostly likely a Juvenile Cooper's Hawk, they mainly eat birds. The juveniles in particular seem to be attracted to the commotion of a feeder. While full grown ducks are not usually targeted, they are at risk. Coopers are known to kill other big birds like chickens and pheasants. There was a recent special on Crows on PBS with researchers tagging crows with radio transmitters. Some of the transmitters ended up at the back in a Coopers nest. In the midwest, their favorite food is doves, but will eat anybird that visits your feeders. A couple of weeks ago, I saw one chase a finch and catch it after several figure eights through the trees. It was very impressive to see such a big bird chase a little bird and catch it.
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I know the pics don't give any idea as to size, but I appeared to be a good bit smalle than the red tails I've seen soaring, and didn't seem to glide or soar the same as the red tails do, if that makes sense, I was wondering if it could be a Mississippi kite? Also, there were three of them soaring around together,idk if that is helpful. I do see lots of red tails, their is a nesting pair Near my neighborhood and I see them both all the time, they are city hawks, lol, very well could be a red tail! Thanks
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That seems right. Thanks! It did look like a white bird when it was flying, so I was surprised at how blue-grey the one photo I managed to get turned out--white tailed kite would explain that.
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It was a Coopers Hawk. I have a CD with bird sounds of PA and I was not sure it was going to help, but listened away as I cleaned my house, and there it was! The sound was unmistakable! I looked it up in the books, and even though I was not able to see the markings that day, I say the silouette for like 5 minutes, and it matched the one in the book perfectly! I am really going to get into ID's by sound, sometimes it takes more than just appearance, it is sound, environment, behavior, then it all comes together. :o)
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User
10 years ago
The cute "Bandit" mask and small size is what I look for. And the rather stubby tail, compared to the long tail seen here:

http://nature.gardenweb.com/discussions/3627638/hawk-photo-los-angeles-suburbia?n=1
room_650
9 years ago
The dark bandit mask provided by nature, is to protect the eyes from glare right ?
User
9 years ago
room_650 ... how would you explain the bald eagles totally white head?
room_650
9 years ago
Different hunting environments and techniques? (bald eagles) I have to look it up

football players paint on their faces dark lines to avoid glare

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