I have a friend who is very good with Hawk ID's. In reference to the Cooper's Hawks, she always says, "The eye never lies." So, I am assuming that the Cooper's eye is helpful with the ID. I have one here and it hunts in my yard around my bird feeders. As I was looking out the window at the plethora of Grackles (YUCK), Starlings (Double-YUCK), and Red Winged Blackbirds the other day, that hawk came swooping in fast and low, and grabbed himself a RWB for breakfast. Wow! I wish that it could have been one of the other birds, but I am always in AWE of the raptors. They are such majestic creatures. Unlike most people who feed songbirds, I truly don't mind the hawks snatching a meal when they can. I just hope they won't choose my BB's!

Thank you for the identification. These birds are well named for their high aerial gliding and diving. Regards, Kent

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I agree. Cooper's. I get one of these in my backyard all the time takin down pigeons..few weeks ago he got a blue jay. Always leaves me nice feathery messes, lol. But SO awesome to watch. First time I saw him make a kill I was totally amazed. Knocked that poor lil pigeon right outta the air into my driveway. He ripped it apart right there with his wings all spread out protecting his kill before he took it in a tree. You managed to take some really nice pix..I haven't been able to do that yet, but I keep trying!